This session will be hosted by the WEA and presented by visiting Open University tutor: Dr Michael Beer. We will consider why architecture changes over time, looking at the legacy of the architecture of Augustan Rome. After looking at the forms of Roman architecture, we will consider revivals of the style like neo classicism, baroque and fascist architecture; as well as reactions against, such as gothic and gothic revival. We will look at why architectural styles flourish or decline, and what they say about the societies that produce them. This will be a very visual session and will require no previous knowledge of architecture. Participants will be able to compare the buildings covered in the session with buildings in their own locality (e.g. neoclassical forms can be found in every UK town centre). The session will provide an engaging introduction to the transferable skills that would be developed in a humanities degree: observation, critical evaluation, comparison, and context.
Course aim
This session, rooted in Classical Studies, is presented by the WEA in collaboration with the Open University. Like other sessions in the series, it offers a perspective on Arts and Humanities at degree level and its relationship to employment.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Understand some of the key ideas involved in the study of History at degree level
- Understand something of the process of applying for a place on a higher education course and where to find further information about this
- Understand the range of skills that would be developed in the course of the study of Arts and Humanities at degree level
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Following this session, you will have access to a range of online resources and telephone contacts that will be of use in making further enquiries about the study of the Arts and Humanities at degree level.
What else do I need to know?
- Nothing else is needed
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
Download full course information sheet
