Minors

The Architectural Studies Minor is for students majoring in any discipline who wish to increase their understanding of the built environment, perhaps with a view to a career in architecture or urban planning. Please also note the recent addition of a QSS Architectural Studies track. 

Seven courses (minimum 22 credit hours), including:

• Either ARTHIST 103: Understanding Architecture or ARTHIST 104: Great Buildings*
• ARTHIST 210: Introduction to Graphics & Computer-Aided Design (Architectural Visualization and Modeling Lab)
• One "maker" course. This may be satisfied with ARTHIST 203: Architecture Design STudio, any studio art (ARTVIS) course (excluding ARTVIS 111 or 112), and other courses that might include ARTHIST 393R: Intro to 3D Visualization, THEA 331: Costume Design, THEA 335: Scenic Painting. Please check with Architectural Studies Advisor when unsure if a course fulfills the requirement
• Four courses (minimum 12 credit hours) in Art History, with an emphasis on architecture. Students should consult the AS advisor about courses that fulfill this requirement, which may include:
  • ARTHIST 104: Great Buildings (*Can count as elective if 103 is also taken)
  • ARTHIST 203: Architecture Design Studio
  • ARTHIST 213: Art of Ancient Egypt, 3000-1500 BCE
  • ARTHIST 221: Art and Architecture of Ancient Greece
  • ARTHIST 222: Art an dArchitecture of Ancient Rome
  • ARTHIST 225: Ancient Mesoamerican Art & Arch.
  • ARTHIST 232: Monastery and Cathedral, 900-1300
  • ARTHIST 242: Italian Renaissance Art and Architecture
  • ARTHIST 275: Modern Architecture: 1880-1945
  • ARTHIST 276: Contemporary Architecture: 1945-present
  • ARTHIST 329: Topics: Art of Classical Antiquity (e.g. Ancient Greek Architecture; Ancient Greek Sanctuaries)
  • ARTHIST 335: Tenochtitlan & the city of Mexico
  • ARTHIST 340: Gothic Art & Architecture
  • ARTHIST 359: Special Studies: Seventeenth/Eighteenth-century Art (e.g. Bernini; Italian Gardens and Villas)
  • ARTHIST 369: Special Studies: Nineteenth/Twentieth-century Art (e.g. The Architect + the City)
  • Seminars (400-level courses) in architectural history may also be offered (e.g. Envisioning Baroque Rome; Four Walls and a Roof; Piranesi at Emory; Spatial Revolution: Soviet Architecture + Urbanism; Parthenon/Pantheon).

NOTE:Students majoring in Art History with a minor in Architectural Studies may apply no more than two (2) courses to both the major and the minor.

Click here for the Architectural Studies Minor Requirements Checklist. 

Further Information

Summer Design Programs. Students interested in graduate work in architecture are encouraged to attend a summer design program, such as Design Discovery at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, the Intro to Architecture at Columbia University, the Summer [In]stitute in Environmental Design at UC Berkeley, or other such college-level programs during the summer of their sophomore or junior year. These +/- six-week intensive design programs (in architectural design, landscape design, or urban design) introduce participants to the sort of work required in graduate studies. Students will be able to assess their aptitude for architectural design and produce a body of work that will be useful in preparing a portfolio for applications to architecture schools. While Emory does not offer transfer credits for this program, participation can fulfill the studio-art requirement for the Architectural Studies minor.

Internship in Architecture. Students interested in a career in architecture may pursue an internship (ARTHIST 397) at a local architectural firm, where they can participate in the day-to-day work that constitutes a professional activity of the field. From four to twelve credits can be earned for internships during a student's Emory career. These credits are not applicable to the Art History major or the AS minor.

The Architecture Club (TAC). AS minors should join The Architecture Club, which meets periodically throughout the year. Guest speakers include current Emory students who have participated in the Career Discovery program; Emory graduates who are currently enrolled in schools of architecture; and Emory alumni who work as architects in Atlanta. The group takes occasional field trips to architectural sites of interest and organizes fun buildings activities. Follow the club on Instagram @tac_emory. 

Study Abroad. With prior approval by the AS advisor, up to two courses with an architectural focus taken in summer and semester study-abroad programs can be applied to the Architectural Studies minor. More generally, students are encouraged to consider travel or study abroad important aspects of their education in architecture.

QSS Architectural Studies track. The QSS track in Architectural Studies follows closely the requirements for the Architectural Studies minor, with a few minor adjustments. We welcome QSS majors to enrich discussions of contemporary architectural design through computation, and to participate in the numerous digital humanities projects ongoing on the department that would benefit from the research assistance of students with interest and curricular strength in computing.

Courses in Other Departments. Students planning to apply to graduate schools of architecture will need the equivalent of a one semester course in Physics (algebra-based, covering mechanics and thermodynamics, like PHYS 141 or 142) and Calculus (MATH 111 or 112). Note that most programs will also accept a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus and/or AP Physics exams if your undergraduate transcript acknowledges the results by awarding institutional credit. The Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Environmental Sciences, and Political Science programs also offer courses in urban studies and material culture that may interest AS minors.

Georgia Tech. While it is logistically difficult, students interest in architectural design may cross-register for classes at Georgia Tech through ARCHE (deadlines for cross-registration are July 15 for Fall Semester and November 15 for Spring Semester). In the future we hope to develop procedures to facilitate such exchanges; in the meantime, Emory students are free to use the Georgia Tech Architecture Library and attend Georgia Tech's School of Architecture Lecture Series.