University of Technology Sydney

11196 Landscape History and Theory 3

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 11172 Landscape History and Theory 1 AND 11174 Landscape History and Theory 2
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

The examination of contemporary writing during the first half of the subject provides a basis for thinking about theory. This is complemented by a focus on criticism and practice for the remainder of the subject: students have the opportunity to reflect on a range of recent projects (speculative and built) using the perspectives offered by contemporary theory. In doing so the links between design, theory and critical reflection are evidenced and actively explored.

The knowledge and skills acquired in the subject are intended to support students in their pursuit of a critically informed approach to design and intellectual inquiry, grounded in a appreciation for the complementary functions of theory, critique and practice.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Establish a critical approach to reading, writing and discussion
2. Use text and images to construct and communicate an argument effectively
3. Perform basic research tasks in support of locating, organising and referencing sources

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Work cooperatively and productively as part of a team. (C.1)
  • Communicate ideas professionally. (C.2)
  • Develop advanced skills for the production, presentation and documentation of work. (P.1)
  • Define and apply appropriate design research methods. (R.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-!, A-3, P-4, etc).

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject's weekly classes take the form of seminars, providing a more flexible and interactive environment than the traditional lecture/tutorial format. This format will encompass lectures and presentations of relevant material and in-class exercises where students complete activities during class time to support the successful completion of the subject's assessment tasks. At the core of the format is the small group seminar where groups of students will be expected to co-lead discussions (with the seminar leader) based on the completion of preparatory reading ahead of the class.

There are a number of online resources used to support the learning objectives of this subject. All documents are accessible through UTS Online. A detailed overview of the pedagogy and associated tasks and assessment items are included in the subject documents. Also online are essential and recommended readings.

The subject's two assessment tasks involve producing written outcomes, differing in topic, length and structure. The completion of these tasks will be aided in class by a number of measures. Students will be introduced to a range of research methods for critically engaging with existing scholarship and opinion, further advancing skills developed in the history and theory stream to date. Dedicated seminars and lectures will address writing forms, conventions and practices. This will include re-visiting the University's dedicated study skill resources accessible through UTS Online.

Furthermore, both assessment tasks present students with the opportunity to receive formative feedback on a number of occassions prior to final submission. It is the student’s responsibility to record any feedback given during seminars and tutorial discussions. Summative feedback is provided in written form with all assessed work. It is published along with indicative grades online at UTS REVIEW. Summative feedback focuses on assessment outcomes. It is used to indicate how successfully a student has performed in terms of specific assessment criteria.

Content (topics)

Topics covered during this course include:

  • concepts of theory and critique in landscape architecture and related fields
  • the interdependances between theory, criticism and practice
  • issues and concerns motivating contemporary practice
  • research methods and study skills relevant to critically informed approach to design and intellectual inquiry

Assessment

Assessment task 1: THEORY

Intent:

Students will develop a body of critical reflections relating to a prescribed body of published scholarship. The material generated will account for observations gained through close reading, discussion and supporting research.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.1 and R.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
IDEAS – concepts are critically examined and accurately accounted for, without relying on direct quotations 20 1 R.1
PARTICIPATION – the student contributes to class discussions in a manner that is constructive, relevant and precise 30 1 C.1
CONTEXT – ideas introduced through allocated writings are expanded on using a range of independently sourced materials 20 3 R.1
METHODS – academic standards and conventions are upheld through the process of researching, writing and discussion 30 3 R.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: CRITIQUE

Intent:

Students will produce a short work of criticism using an integrayed approach to text and image. The critique will focus on a work of contemporary landscape architecture (speculative or realised), examined from the perspective of a theoretical position considered in AT1.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 3

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2, P.1 and R.1

Type: Essay
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 60%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
SUBJECT – project and theory are suitably aligned, and examined to equivalent levels of depth and precision 30 1 R.1
ARGUMENTATION - the critique advances a compelling and reasoned argument using relevant examples to illustrate key concepts and ideas 30 1 R.1
EXECUTION - the writing is clear, precise and coherent, and conforms to scholarly standards of grammar, punctuation and referencing 20 3 P.1
INTEGRATION - text and image are used in an integrative way to extend our understanding of both theory and practice 20 2 C.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

Refer to schedule

Recommended texts

Refere to schedule

References

In the Faculty of DAB, referencing is done using the APA 7th edition referencing style.

Referencing is a standardised method of acknowledging sources of information and ideas that you have used in your assignments or research, in a way that uniquely identifies the source. It is not only necessary for avoiding plagiarism, but also for supporting your ideas and arguments.

The UTS Library has developed additional support materials to guide students in the use of the APA referencing style.

Further support may be accessed via visiting the following link: https://www.lib.uts.edu.au/help/referencing/apa-referencing-guide