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 2025 is available in the Archives.
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
This subject examines the complementary relationship between design theory and design practice, in the context of landscape architecture. It does this through focus on disciplinary criticism. In doing so, students learn to distinguish between different types of theory and critique: their methods of creation, their modes of expression, and the varying roles they perform. Furthermore, students become adept at identifying how knowledge about design practice is generated, disseminated and organised, and how this impacts future practice. This is pursued on the understanding that developed relationships between theory and practice via criticism directly benefit individual expertise, design quality, and the continued advancement of the discipline.
The subject is organised around the exploration of a series of contemporary issues by way of their respective academic discourses. These discourses are dynamic bodies of knowledge, incrementally built, re-built and deconstructed through networks of related activities: projects, publications, symposiums, lectures, exhibitions and educational programs, among others. The subject challenges students to align their emerging design practice with a specific discourse. Through two interconnected assessment tasks, students learn to adopt a critical approach to reading and researching design ideas and practices. Further to which, students develop the capacity to examine practice through the lens of theory, and conversely, examine theory from the perspective of built landscape architecture.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Distinguish between the methods, modes and roles of theory and criticism relevant to landscape architecture |
|---|---|
| 2. | Reflect on and orientate one’s own practice with respect to an established discourse |
| 3. | Identify and appraise different sources of information about the theory and practice of landscape architecture |
| 4. | Engage in a reciprocal and critical exchange design theory and design practice |
| 5. | Use written and visual modes of communication, in combination, to develop and prosecute an argument |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Formulate an ethical position and develop approaches to advocate for equitable and just landscapes that deliver positive impacts. (C.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 a critically informed approach to design and intellectual inquiry, aka 'design research'
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: 2, 3 and 5 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.): .1, .1 and C.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: CRITIQUE
| Intent: | Students will produce a short work of criticism using an integrated approach to text and image. The critique will focus on a work of contemporary landscape architecture, examined from the perspective of a theoretical position considered in AT1. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 4 and 5 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.): .1 and .1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
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