Lara Ramsey

This lecture/discussion course examines the research, documentation, and analysis of historic structures through the lens of the National Register of Historic Places nomination process.The course will explore the various research methods and resources currently available and commonly used by historic preservation professionals, and students will have the opportunity to visit several Chicago research repositories to conduct research first-hand. Students will learn a common standard for written architectural descriptions, as well as criteria for evaluating historic significance. The course will also explore several essential aspects of the National Register process, including the development of historic contexts and evaluation of historic integrity. Readings will include: ?Your House Has a History,? published by the Department of Planning and Development, City of Chicago; National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria; National Register Bulletin 16A: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form; as well as a wide variety of National Register Nominations and Chicago Landmark Designation Reports. Students will develop research, analytic, and writing skills that are fundamental to historic preservation work through the completion of a National Register nomination for an assigned historic building, as well as through several small research and writing assignments. Several guest lectures given throughout the semester will provide students with insight into how research and architectural writing is used in various professional contexts, and students will present their National Register nominations at the end of the semester to a panel of historic preservation professionals.