Academics

The “Public Houses - Architecture and Community” course will focus on the public house or pub as community institution, examining the social, political, and economic aspects of this quintessential English gathering place. We will explore the history of public houses and their products, study the architecture and use of space in these buildings and the ways in which their design and layout play into structuring community relations. In each location where we look at pubs, both in rural and urban settings, we will explore the context of pubs—their placement or location in relationship to other structures, public buildings, churches, etc, and the overall architectural history of the community.

We will have the opportunity to look at brewing history and technology, particularly the important relationship of agricultural production to brewing. The historic Theakston’s Brewery will be toured, and we will examine both modern and historic production techniques.

Working in groups, we will learn to document, draw, photograph, and research public houses and their surrounding settings. We will also do ethnographic work, interviewing pub owners and workers, and their customers to better understand the multiple uses and meanings of these spaces.

Throughout the class we will also examine the ways in which English pubs are portrayed in historic and contemporary literature, and in popular culture, for example, examining the portrayal of pubs in American and BBC television shows.

Students will meet several times in the latter part of the Spring Semester 2008 for orientation and to begin class exercises and discussions. Students participating in the Kiplin Hall program will be expected to participate in these preparatory classes.