A study of the historical and spatial evolution of North-American housing which concentrates upon those single- or multi-family dwelling types which exhibit diachronic or geographical pervasiveness, such as the farmhouse, rowhouse, apartment house, tract house and mobile home. These dwelling places are seen in a context of life and family cycles, of initial builders and successive occupants, of neighborhood and community formation or change, of building materials and technologies, of architectural and socio-economic styles, as well as of American work patterns and daily-rounds. There will be emphasis throughout the course on the visual impress of this residential "fabric." The lab section is to be used for occasional site visits. Requirements: four essay installments on a pervasive element throughout American homes; a class presentation; participation in classes and weekly afternoon field sessions. Open to sophomores. Enrollment limited to 15.