MS Architecture – Critical Heritage Studies
PROGRAM OVERVIEW & FACULTY
The preservation and interpretation of the built environment is interconnected with both social and environmental sustainability and integrated within discourses and practices surrounding other tangible and intangible heritages happening in museums, archeological sites, and elsewhere. This concentration seeks local solutions while engaging in global conversations; emphasizes hands-on engagement with communities and organizations; diversifies approaches and practices of engaging with the past; and promotes the stories and sites that foreground the heritage of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The College of Arts + Architecture’s Center for Community, Heritage, and the Arts (CHArt) is a hub for research and activity in this area. Ravin School of Architecture’s distinctive areas of faculty research include Applied Critical History, Social Justice Futures, and The Engaged City. Faculty researching, teaching, and mentoring students in Critical Heritage Studies include:
- Nadia Anderson, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Design
- Dr. Matthew Gin, Assistant Professor of Architectural History
- Dr. Willie Griffin, Assistant Professor of Public History
- Dr. Christy Hyman, Assistant Professor of Public History
- Dr. Lidia Klein, Assistant Professor of Architectural History
- Dr. Emily Makas, Associate Professor of Architectural History and Heritage, Co-Director of CHArt
- Dr. Tina Shull, Associate Professor and Director of Public History
For more information, please contact Master of Science Graduate Program Director Dr. Emily Makas
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
MS in Architecture – Critical Heritage Studies (30 Credit Hours)
The recommended path to complete this 30-credit program as a stand alone degree is one academic year. This non-thesis track is geared for working design or planning professionals seeking to augment their skills or add credentials. An internship is required. Alternatively, students may choose to complete their internship over the summer and finish their degree in August. Multi-year part-time plans are also possible.
Fall (15 credits)
- ARCH 5600 (3) – Critical Approaches to Heritage
- HIST 6320 (3) – Historic Preservation
- Electives (9) – Approved Electives, including:
- ARCH 5204 (3) – Architectural History Topics
- ARCH 5000 (3) – Foreign Study
- ANTH 5122 (3) – Ethnographic Methods
- HIST 6300 (3) – Topics in Public History (Oral History)
- HIST 6310 (3) – Museum Studies
- HIST 6330 (3) – History in the Digital Age
- MPAD 6318 (3) – Arts Administration and the Community
- MUDD 6606 (3) – GIS and Urban Mapping
Spring (15 credits)
- ARCH 6600 (2) – Heritage Colloquium
- ARCH 7212 (4) – Research Lab
- ARCH 6400 (3) – Heritage Internship
- Electives (6) – Approved Electives, including:
- ARCH 5204 (3) – Architectural History Topics
- ARCH 5000 (3) – Foreign Study
- ANTH 5122 (3) – Ethnographic Methods
- HIST 6300 (3) – Topics in Public History (Oral History)
- HIST 6310 (3) – Museum Studies
- HIST 6330 (3) – History in the Digital Age
- MPAD 6318 (3) – Arts Administration and the Community
- MUDD 6606 (3) – GIS and Urban Mapping
More information can be found in the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.
DUAL DEGREE OPTIONS
The MS in Architecture with a concentration in Critical Heritage Studies can be combined with a number of other degrees and concentrations within and beyond the School of Architecture to create competitive combination. When pursuing these degrees together, time can be saved as courses can overlap and some requirements are waived. Information about these options can be found at the SOA Graduate Programs Dual Degrees. Options include:
MS Critical Heritage Studies / MArch
Any of the three Master of Architecture concentrations can be combined with the Master of Science in Architecture with a concentration in Critical Heritage Studies; however this dual degree works best for students in the MArch I or II concentrations . This combination links a professional design degree with a specialized degree focused on exploring connections between the historic built environment, communities, and contemporary practice.
The Graduate Program Directors for both the MArch, Dr. Mona Azarbayjani, and the MS in Architecture, Dr. Emily Makas, will guide dual degree students to keep them on track for both programs; however, typical plans of study could look like the following for each MArch track:
PLAN of STUDY: MArch II / MS Architecture Critical Heritage Studies – 66 credits
When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 60-credit MArch II and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 66-credit dual degree.
Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4203 may take ARCH 5204 – History Topics instead
- ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4604 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
- ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
- ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
Spring 1 (16 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
- ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- students with a BA in Architecture from UNC Charlotte that have taken ARCH 4605 may take ARCH 6306 – Tech Topics instead
- ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
- ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
- Directed heritage elective from approved list (3)
Summer 1 (3-6 credits)
- ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3-6)
- Study Abroad (3-6)
Fall 2 (15 credit hours)
- HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
- ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
- ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)
Spring 2 (14-17 credit hours)
- ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
- ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
- ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (3)
- Directed heritage elective from approved list (3-6)
66 Total Credit Hours
PLAN of STUDY: MArch I / MS Architecture Critical Heritage Studies – 102 credits
When completed together, a specified 15 credits of the 96-credit MArch I and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 102-credit dual degree.
Fall 1 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5201 – Architectural History I (3)
- ARCH 5602 – Materials (3)
- ARCH 6602 – Representation I (3)
- ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)
Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5202 – Architectural History II (3)
- ARCH 5603 – Environmental Systems (3)
- ARCH 6603 – Representation II (3)
- ARCH 6101 – Design Studio (6)
Fall 2 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5203 – Architectural History III (3)
- ARCH 5604 – Computational Methods (3)
- ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
- ARCH 7101 – Topical Design Studio (6)
Spring 2 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5204 – Architectural History Topic (3)
- ARCH 5605 – Computational Practice (3)
- ARCH 6306 – Technology Topic (3)
- ARCH 7102 – Topical Design Studio (6)
Summer 2 (3-9 credits)
- ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3)
- Study Abroad (0-6)
Fall 3 (15 credit hours)
- HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
- ARCH 5305 – Building Systems Integration (3)
- ARCH 7201 – Research and Design Methods (3)
- ARCH 7103 – Integrated Studio (6)
Spring 3 (15 credit hours)
- ARCH 5206 – Professional Practice (3)
- ARCH 7104 – Diploma Studio (6)
- ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
- ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
Fall 4 (3-9 credit hours)
- Directed heritage electives from approved list (9)
102 Total Credit hours
MS Critical Heritage Studies / MA Public History
The Master of Science in Architecture with a concentration in Critical Heritage Studies can be combined with the Masters of Arts in History with a concentration in Public History. The Heritage / Public History combination allows students to pursue interconnected, interdisciplinary coursework and allows time for an independent research thesis that is not part of the stand alone MS in Critical Heritage curriculum.
This dual degree seeks to expand the field of heritage and public history professionals as well as the histories and heritages preserved by providing training that situates historic preservation in a critical and transdisciplinary context, engages the global and local, diversifies approaches and practices, and promotes experiential learning, community engagement, and social and environmental sustainability.
The Graduate Program Director for the MS in Architecture, Dr. Emily Makas, and the Director of Public History, Dr. Tina Shull, will guide dual degree students to keep them on track for both programs; however, typical plans of study could look like the following for each MArch track.
MS Architecture – Critical Heritage Studies / MA History – Public History
When completed together, a specified 9 credits of the 30-credit Master of Arts in History Public History and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture Critical Heritage are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 48-credit dual degree.
Fall 1 (9 Credit Hours)
- HIST 600x – Colloquium (3)
- ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
- HIST 6300 – Topics in Public History (3)
Spring 1 (9 Credit Hours)
- HIST 600x – Colloquium (3)
- HIST 6330 (3) – History in the Digital Age
- HIST 6693 – Historiography & Methodology (3)
Summer 1 (3-9 credits)
- ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3)
- Study Abroad (3-6)
Fall 2 (9 credit hours)
- HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
- HIST 6310 – Museum Studies (3)
- HIST 6694 – Historical Writing (3)
Spring 2 (9 credit hours)
- ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
- ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
- HIST 6xxx Elective (3)
Fall 3 (6-9 credit hours)
- HIST 6999 – Thesis (6)
- HIST 6xxx Elective (0-3)
48 Total Credit hours
MS Critical Heritage Studies / MUD
The Master of Science in Architecture with a concentration in Critical Heritage Studies can be combined with the Masters of Urban Design. The Heritage / Urban Design combination allows students to focus on community engaged research and design to improve neighborhoods and cities through thoughtful practice that builds on history and a sense of place. For MUD students, doing this combination can add as little as one semester to their curricular path and result in two degrees with minimal added investment.
The Graduate Program Directors for the MS in Architecture, Dr. Emily Makas, and for MUD, Dr. Ming-Chun Lee, will guide dual degree students to keep them on track for both programs; however, typical plans of study could look like the following:.
PLAN OF STUDY: MS Architecture – Critical Heritage Studies / Master of Urban Design
When completed together, a specified 6 credits of the 36-credit Master of Urban Design and specified 9 credits of the 30-credit MS in Architecture Critical Heritage are waived as per the UNC Charlotte catalog, for a 51-credit dual degree.
Fall 1 (12 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage (3)
- MUDD 6606 – GIS and Urban Mapping (3)
- MUDD 6101 – Urban Design Studio I (6)
Spring 1 (15 Credit Hours)
- ARCH 7211 – Research Lab (4)
- ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium (2)
- MUDD 5601 – Community Planning Workshop (3)
- MUDD 6102 – Urban Design Studio II (6)
Summer 1 (12 credits)
- MUDD 7120 – International Study (6)
- MUDD 7102 – Urban Design Studio III (6)
Fall 2 (12 credit hours)
- Heritage Elective (3)
- HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation (3)
- ARCH 6400 – Heritage Internship (3)
51 Total Credit hours