Why do buildings around us look the way they do? Why are some more appealing than others? Why are certain architects considered more talented than others? Who deserves a place in the “history of architecture”? Which buildings serve as exemplary models, and which do not? What should be preserved, what should be maintained, and what should be replaced with something better? What are the expectations of architects and architecture in society, both past and future?

Lectures in the history and theory of architecture are designed to help students refine their judgment and seek answers to these questions. Accompanying field trips demonstrate how architects succeed or fail in making the world a more livable place, reinforcing the participants’ sense of personal responsibility.