Historic Preservation
Principles of Historic Preservation
HIST191
This course is an overview of the American Historic Preservation movement from the 19th-century grass roots organizations through the 20th-century state, federal, and private institutions that guide the movement’s work in the 21st century. Students learn how to apply best practices in the care of our cultural heritage.
1 credits
Prerequisite: None
Principles of Historic Building Analysis
HIST192
This course is an overview of American architecture. Students explore historic styles within a social and cultural context. Emphasis on identification, description, and building significance explored through representative examples throughout the country. Students identify, describe, and write about significant architecture in context.
1 credits
Prerequisite: None
Principles of Building Conservation
HIST193
This course is an overview of conservation techniques used in the preservation of our built environment. Students learn about natural and man-made material deterioration, and are introduced to techniques that successfully halt or reverse the effects of the environment on traditional building materials.
1 credits
Prerequisite: None
Historic Preservation Planning and Sustainability
HIST194
Historic Preservation Planning and Sustainability introduces students to the principles, practices, and procedures of land-use planning and public policy associated with historic preservation planning. Sustainable communities and the historic preservation connection are discussed within the context of case studies. Issues include combating sprawl, preserving rural landscapes, and managing growth.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Historical Archaeology
HIST195
This course introduces students to the study of the physical traces left by people in the past, emphasizing methods of identifying, documenting, excavating, and analyzing historical sites and their artifacts. Students study archaeological sites through an anthropological lens via field, lab, and historical research techniques, including new technologies.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
History & Theory of Historic Preservation
HIST197
This course surveys the historical antecedents, theoretical foundations, and current issues in historic preservation practice.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
History: American Architecture
HIST198
This course surveys four centuries of American architecture. The work of architects and the evolution of architectural styles are examined as a reflection of broader historical trends. Through observation, description, and analysis, students build their visual literacy skills and architectural vocabulary to recognize and interpret a building’s historic character.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Historic Property Research and Documentation
HIST199
The methodology of documenting historic sites will be studied and applied to local buildings and structures. Students utilize primary and secondary archival sources and on-site structural analysis to synthesize a property history, place it in historic context, and argue for its significance.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Building Conservation
HIST201
The course teaches students to see buildings as ever-decaying artifacts in need of vigilant care. Students learn how to steward historic buildings, with special attention paid to period building materials, construction techniques, mechanisms of deterioration and remediation, the building's relationship to its site, and appropriate standards for intervention.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Law, Taxes, and Zoning for Historic Preservation
HIST202
Federal, state, and local laws are studied as they relate to the preservation of historic structures. Special attention is given to the role of historic architecture review boards, as well as planning commissions in the decision making process.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Internship for Historic Preservation
HIST203
The Internship for Historic Preservation provides students with practical training in the field. Students apply historic preservation skills to a selected preservation project. Students work directly under the supervision of a Historic Preservation Professional to develop the project plan and execution.
3 credits
Prerequisite: 18 credits of completed coursework in Historic Preservation (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Oral History
HIST204
This course combines the theory and practice of oral history with extensive field work. Students examine the legal and practical issues of recording oral histories as they apply to a public project. Students interview, record, transcribe, formally present, and assemble the material into an accepted archival format.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Principles of Restoration & Rehabilitation
HIST205
This course frames the restoration and rehabilitation of buildings within the context of architectural conservation. Building techniques are stressed.
1 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Restoration Workshop
HIST206
The course is a hands-on approach to the conservation and preservation of buildings. Advanced building techniques are stressed.
2 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
History, Society and Architecture in the Delaware Valley
HIST208
This course will explore the history of Bucks County and neighboring areas, with special reference to settlement patterns of various ethnic groups and their influence on the landscape, building traditions, and material culture.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Topics in Historic Preservation
HIST210
This course introduces students to various emerging issues in historic preservation. Topics vary by semester and include developing areas of historic preservation and/or areas of historic preservation which are subject to frequent reinterpretation.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Preservation Site Project
HIST214
This course combines classroom study with hands-on field work under the guidance of a historic preservation professional at a chosen site. Real-world experience surveying and assessing a historic building project or other historical site supplements class sessions. Students apply skills of drafting, photography, and writing to complete a class project.
3 credits
Prerequisite: HIST201 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Principles of Historic Gardens
HIST217
An overview of formal gardens and other historic designed landscapes as part of the built environment. Special emphasis is placed on the development of formal gardens in the first half of the twentieth century and the ways in which they reflect cultural ideas about nature.
1 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Management of Historic Sites
HIST219
Using case studies, students study the principles, methods, and disciplines required to manage a small museum or historic site, with special emphasis on personnel, financial and collections management, exhibit development and interpretation, fundraising, marketing, customer service, governance, ethics, and professional standards.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
History of American Furniture
VAFW190
Students analyze American furniture in the context of craft, elements of style, connoisseurship, historical influences, connections to European and Eastern traditions, socio-economics, regionalism, pattern books, and related domestic architecture.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None