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WEA Course Information Sheet 2014-15
Course title: Architecture: Italian Renaissance & Baroque
Course reference: C2417547
Tutor: Brian Adams
Venue: Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, London E11 2NT
Start date: 7/10/2014
End date: 31/3/2015
Number of sessions: 20
Hours per session: 2.25
Fee: £177.75
Concession: free on proof of
Income Related Benefit
Day(s)/time(s): Tuesdays 10-12
Level: 2
Title of qualification to be gained (if any): n/a
Awarding body (if any): n/a
Essential materials:
Note-taking materials
Course aims:
The course will be devoted to the evolution of the Renaissance style in Florence in the fifteenth century until
the final period of its development in Italy in the seventeenth century which is referred to as the Baroque.
Course description:
The course provides a survey of Italian Renaissance, Mannerism and Baroque from the beginning of the
15th to the end of the 17th centuries, with a special focus on the Baroque period. Topics will include the
role of religion, patronage, propaganda, and personalities of architectures and artists, presented against an
expanding world of commerce and power.
Any prior knowledge or entry requirements?
An interest in this subject is the only prerequisite and you do not need any particular study skills.
Course content: what topics will the course cover?
The Renaissance was a period when the glories of ancient Rome were re-awakened. The momentous
stylistic changes were brought about principally by Brunelleschi and Alberti. The Renaissance style reached
its peak at the end of the fifteenth century in the High Renaissance. The architects who dominated this
period were Bramante, Sangallo and Leonardo Da Vinci together with Michaelangelo and Raphael. The
work of these last two architects begins to radically change the manner in which architecture was evolving
and were primarily responsible for establishing the Mannerist style. Harmony and order, characteristics of
the Renaissance style, disappear, and architecture becomes charged with tension and discord and is
created from a basis of obvious experiment. But at the beginning of the seventeenth century yet another
change takes place and the Baroque is conceived. It is a confident and highly seductive style expressing
the challenging attitude of the Church and characterized by its plastic vitality and spatial richness. The
giants of this style were Bernini and Borromini, both of whom worked almost exclusively in Rome.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods: tick those to be used 
 Group work
Demonstration
Discussion
Project work
Research
Role play
Activity outside class
Question and answer 
Observation
time
Other (state)
 Field trip

Presentation
Individual work
Written work
Practical work
How will I receive feedback on my learning progress and achievement?
Recap sessions, discussions and review of individual learning outcomes
Learning outcomes: these are the intended outcomes and may be revised in discussion with the class.
Students are encouraged to think about and identify their own individual outcomes.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Analyse and compare the essential design features of the buildings – paintings and sculpture to a degree
also – of the Renaissance, Reformation and Counter Reformation periods.
2. Have an appreciation of the nature and the importance of patronage during the periods, from powerful
families and the Catholic Church.
3. Appreciate the unique visual quality of Rome, made possible by the master planning act of
Pope Sixtus V.
4. Gain a knowledge of the long, drawn out redesign of St. Peter’s.
5. Appreciate the stature of Michaelangelo in the history of European art.
6. Recognise and assess the churches of Francesco Borromini.
7. Apply the knowledge acquired during the course to inform related reading and to heighten interest in and
understanding of Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque architecture.
Reading and information sources:
Author
Title
Publisher
HEYDENREICH, LH &
LOTZ, W
MURRAY, L
Architecture in Italy 1400-1600
Pelican History of Art, 1974
The Late Renaissance and Mannerism
Thames & Hudson, 1967
MURRAY, P
The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance
Thames & Hudson, 1969
Suggestions for progression to further study or for using the skills and knowledge gained:
You should feel more confident to undertake further study, either with the WEA or with another provider.
Details of further opportunities will be discussed in class.
You can read about your entitlements and responsibilities as a WEA student in our leaflet, Services for Students here
http://www.wea.org.uk/courses/information This includes information on fees, learning support and financial support.
As part of your first course you accept a learning agreement. This applies to all courses you take in this academic year.
You should have a copy of the learning agreement (the tear-off portion of your enrolment form), but if not please ask for
a copy from your tutor.
You can enrol online for some courses http://www.wea.org.uk/courses or contact London & Southern Regions Support
Centre: Email: london&[email protected] Tel: Freephone 0800 328 1060
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