Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

This module provides the principal introduction to landscape concepts and theory for the programme. It will introduce students to the various, and sometimes competing and opposed, ways in which landscape has been conceptualised, defined and understood. It highlights the philosophical theories, critical positions, and socio-political agendas which underpin different approaches to landscape and drivers of (rapid) environmental/ecological change.

The module draws upon recent writings in landscape (architecture, planning, management and ecology), cultural geography, environmental ethics, ecology, and heritage studies. It explores core themes at the nature-culture-environment nexus, and will relate these to the interlinked crises of our times: globalisation, urbanisation, climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and mass migration of populations (human and non-human).

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus explores themes including (but not limited to):
- Landscape, Art and Imaginaries
- Heritage Landscapes
- Borderscapes and Militarism
- Landscape and Justice (social, environmental, climatic, multi-species)
- Migratory Landscapes (including biosecurity)
- Seascape (character and assessment)
- Re/Wilding (and biodiversity net gain)
- Post-industrial landscape (priority habitats and conservation gain)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding of the way landscape has been conceptualised at different times and in different places.

Insight into the philosophies, ideologies and critical positions which underpin different approaches to landscape.

An understanding of the social, economic, political, cultural and environmental issues which are revealed through the medium of landscape, and an understanding of landscape as an amalgam or hybrid of nature and culture.

Collation and analysis of relevant surveys/information of environment/seascape management plan at the landscape scale, including mitigation, and enhancement.

Identification of human-non-human-environment pressures and potential conflicts, and opportunities to achieve positive outcomes for people and nature.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to look critically at landscape as a hybrid of 'nature' and culture.

The ability to consider landscape from a range of conceptual and theoretical positions.

The ability to relate the representation of present and future landscapes to the social, political and ecological crises of our times.

A sensibility toward the complexities of landscape which will assist in imagining, and influencing, sustainable future landscapes (social, ecological, and climatic) with social and ecological gains

Practical experience in conducting seascape character surveys and assessments and the ability to apply cartographic (e.g. maps, aerial photographs), surveys and other data / desk-based information to identifying physical and social features.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will be introduced to a range of different definitions and understandings of landscape, the aim being to stimulate their own critical responses to landscape issues, regardless of their original disciplinary backgrounds, and thus to prepare them to produce their own creative responses to landscape issues across the programme.

Fieldwork will provide important opportunities to apply their learning and to develop their practical skills in the data collection, analysis and assessment of qualities/characters in the seascape/landscape.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The creative reflective diary is intended to assess understanding of the material presented in the module and to provide an opportunity to respond critically to this material, and to engage with wider literature (academic, policy etc).

The group presentation will assess students ability to collect, analysis and prepare large-scale landscape/seacscape management, mitigation and enhancement plan/project. It will support them in developing academic and practical sills including in interdisciplinary working and verbal communication.

General Notes

N/A