Postgraduate Course: Situating landscape architectural theory (ARCH11272)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This is a theory course in the field of Landscape Architecture aimed at developing a deep understanding of the complexity, scope and diversity of the discipline. You will be invited to engage in weekly lectures, readings, and discussions leading to the development of an individual reflection on the theoretical context of landscape architecture, and its relationship with landscape architectural design practice. The course will explore social, cultural, environmental and ethical concerns within the discipline. |
| Course description |
This seminar-based course will explore a number of contemporary landscape theoretical concerns from: landscape as an art of practice; the development of landscape research and its interplay with scientific fields of exploration; landscape political agendas and their role in policy-making; landscape as an artistic theme of engagement; landscape representation in art and mapping; private and public spheres of landscape development; landscape preservation and conservation; and finally landscape iconography and its significance in our collective imaginary. The course aims to develop your interest in the relationship between theory and practice concerns within the context of the landscape architecture profession.
You will be invited to critically discuss the weekly readings with your peers and tutors, and record your reflections in a weekly logbook. This exercise is aimed at encouraging you to develop a structured approach to the analysis of landscape theory. You will also undertake independent academic research into a theme of your choice and author a written essay with the support of the course organiser and dedicated tutors. The course engages you in developing research and writing skills and communicating academic work at a professional standard.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 53 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
165 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Formative:
A 500-word abstract will be submitted mid-semester in which each student must present a research essay proposal. Formative written feedback/feedforward appraisal will be provided.
Summative Assessment:
There will be three components of summative assessment.
1. A 1500-word logbook with a critical account of four weekly seminars (Exam Period). Weighting 20%
2. A verbal presentation on four pre-defined texts (Week 10).Weighting 20%
3. A 3000-word essay on a topic of choice. Weighting 60% (Exam Period)
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| Feedback |
Formative:
Students will be provided with mid semester written feedback/feedforward comment regarding their 500-word essay proposal abstract.
A one-hour individual tutorial will provide verbal feedback/feedforward comment regarding the logbook and essay.
Summative written feedback will be provided for both the logbook and the essay according to learning outcome expectations.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary landscape design theories, concepts, and principles and how these inform the discipline's research and practice.
- Critically analyse and contextualise landscape architectural theory within contemporary social, cultural, environmental and ethical perspectives.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop a robust and well-structured argument aided by rigorous academic communication skills.
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Reading List
Casey, E., (2013) The Fate of Place. Oakland: University of California Press.
Corner, J., (1999) Recovering Landscape: Essays in Contemporary Landscape Architecture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
Cosgrove, D., & Daniels, S. (Eds.), (1988) The Iconography of Landscape: Essays on the Symbolic Representation, Design and Use of Past Environments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Cunha, D., (2018) The Invention of Rivers Alexander's Eye and Ganga's Descent. Penn Studies in Landscape Architecture
Dorrian, M., & Rose, G., (2003) Deterritorialisations ...: Revisioning Landscapes and Politics. London: Black Dog Publishing.
Hikuroa, D., Salmond, A., and Tadaki, M., (2018) A geomorphic perspective on the rights of the river in Aotearoa New Zealand, River Research Applications.
Jacobs, J, (1961) The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House.
Lowenhaupt Tsing, A., (2017) Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet: Ghosts and Monsters of the Anthropocene. University Of Minnesota Press
McHarg, I., (1969) Design with Nature, John Wiley & Sons; 25th Anniversary edition (28 Mar. 1995)
Mitchell, W. J. T., (1994) Landscape and Power. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Rose, Deborah Bird (2004). Reports from a Wild Country: Ethics for Decolonisation. Sydney, NSW
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course provides strategic theoretical underpinning to the MLA programme and aims to deliver fundamental instruction in landscape architecture theory at postgraduate level.
(Characteristic 1) Students will develop a critical understanding of the principal theories, concepts, and principles of landscape architecture.
(Characteristic 2) Students will develop skills which enable them to critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in landscape architecture.
(Characteristic 3) The course requires students to identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract problems and issues.
(Characteristic 4) Students will be required to develop communication skills academic skills appropriate to postgraduate research. |
| Keywords | landscape architecture design,research,theory,practice |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Barbara Prezelj
Tel:
Email: bprezelj@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Chloe Hancock
Tel: (0131 6)50 4124
Email: chancock@ed.ac.uk |
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