Class depends completely on your TA. Mine was helpful in terms of discussion but graded everything pretty hard. Midterm and final are a lot of writing, but mainly focus on identifying the buildings discussed.
Selling the textbook required for this class. Good shape. Also have a couple study guides included if you'd like them.
Text me at **********

I had a great TA and the professor was great at explaining all concepts during the lecture.
I am selling the book required for his class (European Architecture, 1750-1890 by Bergdoll).

If you are interested, please message me at **********.

Selling the textbook (European Architecture, 1750-1890 by Bergdoll). Message me at **********

The only reason why I did well in this class is because I had a wonderful TA. Otherwise, good luck to ya. There are weekly quizzes in section that end up being a significant part of your grade (25% quizzes + 10% participation for going to section). According to the syllabus, the quizzes should have been on weekly outside readings (that didn't really pertain to class material in my opinion) but they ended up being mostly on stuff we talked about in lecture, which was manageable. Friends with other TAs however had different quizzes that were much more difficult and required religiously going over the readings and attending lecture (and retaining info) to get full credit.

The midterm and final aren't difficult if you can stay awake during lecture to take good notes and are able to memorize 25 ish works (name, date, architect(s), location) for slide identifications. Prof Upton is not an engaging lecturer so if you struggle to stay awake or pay attention as it is, don't take this class. I think I would have enjoyed the material more if I didn't dread going to lecture and listening to a man monotonously drone on about buildings.

TLDR: your TA will make or break your grade and Prof Upton isn't that great.

The class actually turned out to be much more interesting than I thought it would be since it covered a lot of the social and historical aspects of architecture apart from the aesthetics part of it. He does produce great content, but his delivery is rather dull and it's really easy to fall asleep in class. The textbook was not necessary at all, but you will need to do the readings or at least skim them.

Took this class as a GE and honestly didn't pan out too badly. Managed to get full grades on all the quizzes without having to study for them (this was mostly a result of passively listening during lecture). Make sure to use the study aids as your primary resource - these are the only buildings you truly need to pay attention to. Office hours are useful if you didn't catch something he said in lecture. The TAs are extremely helpful and willing to share their resources and tips with you (I had Heather, she was great!). The exams are part rote memorization and part BS (you can get through them by just knowing the basic artistic movements)

Would recommend as a GE but definitely have to put a little effort in to get your grade.

Came into this not knowing a single thing about art or architecture, but I felt like I came out with a bit more appreciation for it. Grade is based on discussion participation, pop quizzes (could be in discussion or lecture), midterm exam, final paper, and final exam. He posts lecture notes with bolded buildings which will be what the exams are based off of. He is the dullest lecturer and he mumbles a lot, but make sure to write down everything he says on those bolded buildings.

His exams were very straightforward and the readings were short for the most part. I was blessed with a wonderful TA which probably helped a bit in this course. His lectures, though often tiring, are full of information applicable on the test. A lot of memorization of buildings and facts. Overall pretty easy class. Definitely would recommend for a GE.

Lectures are really dry but overall the classes is pretty easy. The discussions are so helpful to the class. The actual lecture is pretty much Upton mumbling a bunch of facts that barely anyone pays attention to. The midterm / final is based on how well you can memorize different architecture and readings. Not the most interesting class but I did like learning some of the sections!

dell is pretty boring and he murmurs a lot..so a lot of times i could not really hear him // also i fell asleep a lot of times

but you will walk away with this class with something... at least i appreciate architecture a little bit more

the textbook is not necessary at all. just make sure u do ur readings! (long...and boring most of the times)

i found my section a lot more helpful than lecture. my ta was kristina and she is super helpful and always up for meeting you outside office hours and helping you review!