The Minor in Architectural History and Theory, which is open to all WashU students, introduces foundational aspects of visual literacy and critical analysis of architecture in terms of its cultural resonance and social impact. Students study the built environment, including cities, buildings, and landscapes on every continent throughout human history. You will develop expertise in visual analysis and verbal expression, ideal for general liberal arts education or pre-professional preparation to write, teach, and curate as an architectural historian. The minor engages with diverse methods and perspectives, examining the place, time, material, technology, forms, concepts, ideals, and identities that shape and are shaped by environments and buildings.
Students interested in the minor should contact the minor advisor.
At least 12 of the 15 credit credits must be applied exclusively to the minor and cannot be counted toward another major or minor. The architecture tracks are an exception to this rule. Up to 9 credits of coursework can double count for the minor and an architecture track. Courses that count toward the minor cannot fulfill the History & Theory Research & Writing requirement for architecture majors.
The requirements below apply to students who declared the minor in Fall 2026 or later. Students who declared a minor prior to Fall 2026 should refer to Prior Bulletins for minor requirements.
Credits required: 15
Required Courses
- 3 credits of Architectural History Surveys:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 2210 | Architectural History I: Antiquity to Baroque | 3 |
| ARCH 2220 | Architectural History II: Architecture Since 1880 | 3 |
- 3 credits of Methodology:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 6901 | Theories & Methods of Historical Research | 3 |
or other methodology-based course approved by the minor advisor | ||
Architectural History Electives
- 9 credits of Electives:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Any 3000-level or above architectural history and theory course* | ||
| ARCH 2210 | Architectural History I: Antiquity to Baroque ** | 3 |
| ARCH 2220 | Architectural History II: Architecture Since 1880 ** | 3 |
| A maximum of 3 units selected from the following | ||
| ARCH 1110 | Introduction to Design Processes I *** | 4.5 |
| ARCH 1144 | Architecture for Non-Architects *** | 3 |
| ARCH 3924 | Summer Architectural Design Studio in Florence, Italy (Florence) | 6 |
- *
Courses with AR Research & Writing and AR Case Studies course tags fulfill this requirement.
- **
Only if the course is not counting toward the Architectural History Survey requirement.
- ***
Non-architecture majors only.