LAA 1920 :: ::

Landscape Architecture Courses

LAA 1920 – Introduction To Landscape Architecture (H)
3 Credits, Lecture
Prerequisites: none

General
The purpose of this course is to instill an understanding of the profession of Landscape Architecture, a profession defined as the art and science of planning or designing on the land – arranging and creating spaces and objects in a landscape for safe, efficient, healthful and pleasant human use.

Objectives
The course shall focus on each of the following topics, all of which combine to provide a clear understanding of the profession of landscape architecture.

Subject -- Understanding place and refining our sense of place as practiced in Landscape Architecture: a design continuum of living landscapes from wilderness, to managed forests, to rural landscapes, to suburbia and to our cities, towns and new communities.

Scales of Concern -– Understanding Scale: Spatial and Temporal.

• Perspectives of Distance and Space -- From Backyards to Mother Earth
• Perspectives of Time -- Historical Precedent
• Perspectives of Distance / Time (Motion) -- Entry, Activity, Movement and Exit

Issues -- Understanding Issues that Drive Planning and Design Decisions.

• Sensitivity to Place -- Natural Resources
• Sensitivity to Place -- Social-Cultural-Historical Resources

Method -- Understanding Techniques of Land Planning and Design

• A Process for Planning and Design
• Design Communication and Tools of Technology

Performance

• Examinations shall test a student's knowledge and understanding of the many facets of landscape architecture.
• Projects and papers shall be assigned that help refine a student's sense of place and that test a student's ability to apply course material to a selected area of interest.

Texts
City Form and Natural Process, Hough
Landscape Architecture, Simonds
Design for Human Ecosystems, Lyle
People Places, Marcus
Design on the Land, Newton
Regenerative Design for Sustainable Development, Lyle
Design with Nature, McHarg
Site Planning, Lynch
Introduction to Landscape Architecture, Laurie
The Living Landscape, Steiner