Architectural Studies
Catherine Spellman
About this opportunity
- The preprofessional BSD program in architectural studies offered by The Design School helps students understand architecture as both a cultural expression and a technical achievement, and it provides an interdisciplinary approach to architecture.
Students are prepared for alternative practices with architecture firms and in related fields such as landscape architecture, engineering, art, construction, urban planning, urban design, and historic preservation, or for graduate studies in the professional Master of Architecture program, in business fields, or in law.
This program offers two possible paths: cross-disciplinary focus and professional focus. For the first three years, all students take two project-topic courses yearly, together with other classes, to develop their skills. In the third year, students intending to pursue professional licensure as a registered architect must declare to their advisor their interest in pursuing the professional focus.
Thesis
Barrett students enrolled in the BSD in Architectural Studies have the option to complete a group honors thesis through the Architecture Honors Thesis ARC 492/ARC 493 pathway. To work with the Architectural Faculty as thesis directors, Barrett BSD Architectural Studies students must participate in the ARC 492/493 Honors Thesis, described below.
Additional thesis options outside of ARC 492/493 include the Barrett Honors Thesis Pathway opportunities or an independent thesis project with faculty from a minor or in an area outside of the architectural studies major.
TERM 7
Enroll in ARC 492 Honors Directed Study for 3 credits. This faculty-guided course enables students to develop an independent topic through research and creative making. The final product will include a written component offering relevant research and analysis of the topic and supporting creative work that provides insight into the topic. The course faculty is the thesis director for all enrolled students. Thesis co-directors may be included to support the student’s interest.
TERM 8
Enroll in ARC 493 Honors Thesis for 3 credits. This is a faculty-guided course where students work collaboratively to design and construct a public exhibition to celebrate the independent honors thesis projects completed in ARC 492. Students will select an exhibit topic, medium, material, and construction method to develop the exhibition. Documentation of the work and product will be included as part of each student’s final submission to Barrett, The Honors College. The course faculty is the thesis director for all enrolled students. Thesis co-directors may be included to support the design and construction of the exhibition.
To prepare for the Architecture Honors Thesis Pathway:
- Complete a Barrett Thesis Workshop
- Review the Barrett Honors Thesis Student Guidebook
- Consider the various structured Barrett Honors Thesis Pathways
- Review example The Design School Honors Thesis Projects from the ASU Library KEEP collection.
- Identify your architecture interests that you may want to develop in the thesis project.
- Research and read about your interests.
Academic Preparation
- Students will complete 6 semesters for their in BSD in Architectural Studies.
- To accommodate ARC 492 Honors Directed Study in Term 7, students may choose to substitute ARC 441 Architecture Representation with ARC 492 Honors Directed Study. Upon request, this change will be made to your DARS.
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To accommodate ARC 493 in Term 8, students are advised to take ARC 432 Architecture History in Term 6. Barrett students will be given an override into the course.
Recommended Timeline
- Complete most of the honors contract credits before Term 7.
- Complete ARC 432 Architecture History in Term 6.
- Complete the recommended thesis preparation (above) before Term 7.
- Register for ARC 492 in Term 7.
- Register for ARC 493 in Term 8.
Other Honors Opportunities
Honors contracts are available on a case by case basis with individual instructors and students are encouraged to connect with faculty early in their academic careers. Students can also explore research opportunities and examples of student work in the field as they progress in the program.
College
Herberger Institute for Design and the ArtsCampus
Tempe