CO4103 Traditional Knowledge System Syllabus:

CO4103 Traditional Knowledge System Syllabus – Anna University PG Syllabus Regulation 2021

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 To enable students to understand the concept of traditional knowledge and differentiate between that and formal education.
 To provide students with typologies of architecture, evolution of need-based architecture.
 To enable students to understand the concept of traditional crafts and the importance of craftsmen and materials.
 To enable students to develop an understanding for general planning strategies in ancient cities.
 To introduce the importance of gaining knowledge on traditional materials and practices especially in heritage sites.

UNIT I TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM

Understanding the concept of traditional knowledge – Difference between traditional knowledge and formal education – advantages and disadvantages – need for safe guarding traditional knowledge – examples of traditional knowledge system in various fields.

UNIT II TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE

Need based architecture – evolution of different typologies of architecture – housing – religious – forts – Introduction to books like Manasara, Mayamatam and its contents – Basics of Agama principles, evidence from Sangam Literature – Systems of calculations and geometry – Fusing of native knowledge with modern practices – Select case studies.

UNIT III ARCHITECTURE & ASSOCIATED CRAFTS

Traditional crafts and craftsmen of Indian architecture – traditional knowledge in building sciences and environmental studies – associated craftsmen like artist, carpenter, weavers – select case studies using materials like bamboo, bricks, lime, terracotta, etc.- Indigenous Construction Techniques like Chettinad Plaster, Athangudi Tiles, Madras Terrace Roof, Araish Lohi Lime Plaster.

UNIT IV DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIC CITIES

Historic City, a product of people, place and time – General Planning strategies for city planning in ancient times – religious structures, road network, irrigation channels, occupation-based settlement designs – sustainability of historic cities – selected case studies of Srirangam, Kancheepuram, Hampi, Nalanda, Benares, etc.

UNIT V TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE & CONSERVATION

Methods of gaining traditional knowledge – importance and ways of documenting traditional practices application process of traditional knowledge in practice – site visit and field work- Risk Management in Heritage Sites

TOTAL: 45 PERIODS

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to
CO1 Relate to the concept of traditional knowledge and differentiate between that and formal education.
CO2 Explain the typologies of architecture, evolution of need-based architecture. bout cultural study and their methodologies.
CO3 Apply their mind and assess the importance of traditional crafts and the importance of craftsmen and materials.
CO4 Analyze the importance of general planning strategies in ancient cities.
CO5 Build a knowledge bank on traditional materials and practices that can be applied to current projects as well.

REFERENCES:

1. Coomaraswamy, Ananda, K., Vatsyayan, Kapila. ISBN:9788120716438 The Transformation of Nature in Art (Indira Gandhi, National Centre for the Arts)
2. Foucault, Michel,ISBN:9780415267373, Order of things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences, 1994
3. Wright, A, ISBN:0713464194, Craft techniques for Traditional Buildings, Batsford,1991