Spring 2017
Paris & Philadelphia: Landscape and Literature of the 19th Century
HSPV 620-401 / FREN 620-401, Goulet/Wunsch
This course explores the literal and literary landscapes of 19th-century Paris and Philadelphia, with particular attention to the ways in which the built environment is shaped by and shapes shifting ideologies in the modern age. Although today the luxury and excesses of the “City of Light” may seem worlds apart from the Quaker simplicity of the “City of Brotherly Love”, Paris and Philadelphia saw themselves as partners and mutual referents during the 1800s in many areas, from urban planning to politics, prisons to paleontology. This interdisciplinary seminar will include readings from the realms of literature, historical geography, architectural history, and cultural studies as well as site visits to Philadelphia landmarks, with a view to uncovering overlaps and resonances among different ways of reading the City. We will facilitate in-depth research by students on topics relating to both French and American architectural history, literature, and cultural thought.
Preservation Economics
HSPV 625-001, Rypkema
The primary objective is to prepare the student, as a practicing preservationist, to understand the language of the development community, to make the case through feasibility analysis why a preservation project should be undertaken, and to be able to quantify the need for public/non-profit intervention in the development process. A second objective is to acquaint the student with measurements of the economic impact of historic preservation and to critically evaluate "economic hardship" claims made to regulatory bodies by private owners.
Theories of Historic Preservation II
HSPV 661-301, Mason
Note: This course meets for the second half of the term, 3/13/2017-4/26/2017 Theories of historic preservation serve as models for practice, integrating the humanistic, artistic, design, scientific and political understandings of the field. This course examines the historical evolution of historic preservation, reviews theoretical frameworks and issues, and explores current modes of practice. Emphasis is placed on literacy in the standard preservation works and critical assessment of common preservation concepts. In addition to readings and lectures, case studies from contemporary practice will form the basis for short assignments. Professional ethics are reviewed and debated. The instructor’s permission is required for any student not registered in the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation. Note that the course is organized in two parts; the first half, on the basics of preservation theory, is taught in the fall semester while the second half takes place in the spring semester and engages advanced topics.
Pienza Studio/Seminar
HSPV 703-301, Mason
This hybrid seminar-studio course will explore advanced topics in urban conservation and landscape preservation through application to the challenges of Italian case studies, principally Pienza. This Tuscan town possesses several highly significant layers of urban history, a rich set of connections to the regional landscape, and significant challenges from tourism. Planning, design and preservation interventions in this context will be a practical focus of the studio aspects of the course. (Other case studies in Italy will also be presented, including Rome’s Centro and the archaeological site of Cosa.) The seminar components of the course will delve into the literature on urban conservation in Italy and elsewhere. The course will run in parallel to – and collaboration with – a Landscape Architecture studio led by Laurie Olin. Travel to Italy during March’s spring break is planned. Permission of department required to enroll. Please email Program Coordinator Amanda Bloomfield: amab@design.upenn.edu.
Professional Practice & Architectural Conservation
HSPV 713-301, Krotzer
This course is intended to introduce students to the professional practice of architectural conservation and illustrate how the technical knowledge gained through their academic studies is applied in the real world. It will include a discussion of the role of the architectural conservator within the larger preservation and restoration fields, as well as the concept of professional leadership. A significant portion of the course will be dedicated to project management--from writing a proposal to developing and implementing a work plan for a conservation project. The project management portion of the course will also review the typical progression of a project through design and construction phases, highlighting the role that the conservator plays in both. The course will include: lectures; site visits to current or recently completed conservation projects; in-class discussions and assignments related to typical tasks and challenges faced by architectural conservators in their daily professional life; and guest lecturers discussing the importance of inter-disciplinary collaboration. Permission of department required to enroll. Please email Program Coordinator Amanda Bloomfield: amab@design.upenn.edu.
Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites & Landscapes
HSPV 747-401 / ANTH 508-401, Erickson/Matero
Archaeological sites and landscapes have long been considered places of historical and cultural significance and symbols of national and ethnic identity. More recently they have offered new opportunities for economic and touristic development in both urban and rural settings. With a unique set of physical conditions including fragmentation, illegibility, extreme environmental exposure and material deterioration, as well as contested ownership and control, their conservation, management, and interpretation as heritage places require special knowledge and methodologies for both heritage specialists and archaeologists. This seminar will address the history, theories, principles, and practices of the preservation and interpretation of archaeological sites and landscapes. The course will draw from a wide range of published material and experiences representing both national and international contexts. Topics will include site and landscape documentation and recording; site formation and degradation; intervention strategies including interpretation and display, legislation, policy, and contemporary issues of descendent community ownership. The course will be organized as a seminar incorporating readings, lectures and discussions on major themes defining the subject of ruins and archaeological site conservation. Readings have been selected to provide exposure to seminal works in the development of theory and method as well as current expressions of contemporary practice. This will set the background for the selected case study site which will provide students the opportunity to work with primary and secondary materials related to archaeological and ruin sites: excavation reports, stabilization work, conservation and interpretation plans, etc. Depending on the site, students will study specific issues leading toward the critique or development of a conservation and management program in accordance with guidelines established by ICOMOS/ ICAHM and other official agencies (e.g., national legislation such as NPS-28).