The History and Architecture of Oxford
Oxford traditionally has its origins in a settlement associated with a religious house founded by St. Frideswide in the eighth century, a date now confirmed by archaeologists. From these humble beginnings has grown up a thriving city whose center is dominated physically by one of the world's great universities, whose own origins go back some 900 years.
The history of Oxford provides a fascinating study since at most periods the great movements of English history were acted out in part or in miniature within its confines: medieval monasticism, the Reformation, the English Civil War (when Oxford was garrisoned by the King and then taken by the Parliamentarians), the development of English art, literature and science, the grandeur of the eighteenth century, the self-confident world of the Victorians, and the twentieth-century technological revolution have all left solid memorials in the city or its environs. More generally, the history of Oxford provides a lens for the study of past developments and current issues in Western education.
The patronage of the University and colleges has meant that great architects have been employed over the centuries to work on the fine buildings for which Oxford is famous: from the medieval master-masons through such seventeenth- and eighteenth-century geniuses as Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, James Gibbs, and James Wyatt to great Victorians like Charles Cockerell, Gilbert Scott, William Butterfield, and Thomas Jackson, and to their distinguished modern counterparts. Their work can all be studied within an area of about one square mile.
This course mixes classroom instruction with visits to individual buildings, some of which are otherwise inaccessible to the general public. We shall also visit the surrounding region so that students may learn about Oxford's hinterland, seeing for themselves the medieval manor house, the country mansion, and humbler village dwellings. We will see as well some of the parish churches, big and small, which are the splendor of the English countryside. Walking will not be strenuous, but please note that access to some older buildings involves climbing stairs. Students are recommended to bring with them a pair of lightweight walking shoes and, should they happen to own them, a pair of lightweight binoculars.
Course requirements
Students are required to write one paper of 1,500 to 2,000 words and deliver one short oral presentation.
Tutor biography
Christopher Day, M.A. , FSA, Director, International Academic Programmes, Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, and Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford.
Field trips
Rousham Gardens and Broughton Castle, Great Coxwell, Kelmscott Manor, and Clanfield
Reading list
Students should familiarize themselves with the general history of England before arriving in Oxford.
Morgan, K. O., ed. Oxford Illustrated History of Britain. Oxford University Press. (ISBN 0-19-285174-8 paperback)
Hibbert, C. The English. HarperCollins/Paladin. (ISBN 0-586-08471-1 paperback)
Lang, Sean. British History For Dummies. John Wiley and Sons. (ISBN 0-76-457021-8 paperback)
There are many good introductions to architectural history. Students are recommended to read one or more of the following.
Conway, H. and R. Roenisch. Understanding Architecture. London and New York: Routledge, 2005. (ISBN 0-415-10466-1 paperback)
Watkin, D. English Architecture. London and New York: Thames & Hudson, 2001. (ISBN 0-500-201714 paperback)
Rasmussen, S. Experiencing Architecture. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1962. (ISBN 0-262-68002-5 paperback)
Summerson, J. The Classical Language of Architecture. Thames & Hudson, 1963. (ISBN 0-500201-773 paperback)
On Oxford architecture, by far the best introductions to look out for in your library are:
Tyack, G. Oxford: An Architectural Guide. Oxford University Press, 1998. (ISBN 0-19-817423-3 paperback)
The standard work. Worth bringing with you, if you own it.
Colvin, H. Unbuilt Oxford. Yale University Press, 1983. (ISBN 0-300-03016-9 paperback)
Excellent–don't be put off by the title!
Many books are published each year on Oxford. Most are either dull or designed as picture books for tourists. Four of which are neither are:
Morris, J. Oxford. Oxford University Press, 1993. (ISBN 0-19-282065-6 paperback)
Manages to be right in general despite being wrong in many particulars.
Morris, J. The Oxford Book of Oxford. Oxford University Press, 1984. (ISBN 0-19-281424-9 paperback)
Prest, J. ed. Illustrated History of Oxford University. Oxford University Press, 1993. (ISBN 0-198-201-588)
Excellent general introduction.
Tyack, G. Oxford and Cambridge Blue Guide. W. W. Norton & Company; 5th edition, 1999. (ISBN 0-3933-19342, paperback)
Currently out of print, copies may be found at the library.
Credit and Enrollment Information
X107.4 (3 semester units in History)
(EDP 284166)