MS Architecture – Critical Heritage

The Master of Science in Architecture with a concentration in Critical Heritage Studies at UNC Charlotte is a program of the Ravin School of Architecture within the College of Arts + Architecture.

The Critical Heritage concentration within the program 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 all people.

Training situates historic preservation in a critical and transdisciplinary context, promoting experiential learning, community engagement, and social and environmental sustainability. This non-thesis track, 30-credit hour, program is geared for recent graduates as well as working design or planning professionals seeking to augment their skills or add credentials. Dual degrees with Public History and Architecture are offered for students interested in augmenting their education.

Core courses

ARCH 5600 – Critical Approaches to Heritage

A theoretical exploration of heritage from a variety of disciplinary and methodological perspectives with a focus on key contemporary issues and themes in the field and engagement with alternative intellectual and methodological frameworks to reconceptualize heritage values and practices.

HIST 6320 – Historic Preservation 

An introduction to the theory and practice of identifying, preserving and restoring buildings, sites, structures and objects in the historic built environment of the United States.

ARCH 7211 – Research Lab

The Studio Lab sequence situates students with varying backgrounds in a research environment that allows them to develop and test innovative tools, applications, and solutions.  Each semester may be jointly taught by faculty from the School of Architecture and other collaborating departments from the University.  The course is typically project-based and organized around research questions and topics chosen by the participating faculty.

Electives

These credits can be any combination of graduate level courses 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
ARCH 6400 – Internship 

Supervised practical experience in the application of architectural, urban, or heritage principles in a design firm, agency, organization, or facility not part of the School of Architecture. Following the needs of the agency, as part of the internship students may be asked to set goals at the outset of their applied research, complete a self-assessment at the end, and/or submit documentation of their experiential learning.

ARCH 6600 – Heritage Colloquium 

Heritage Studies concentration course involving a series of site visits and guest speakers from scholars and professionals to further understanding of heritage case studies and working in the discipline.

Program DIRECTOR

Emily Gunzburger Makaš

Program Director

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