Performative Ecologies

Subject ABPL90283 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Lecture 1 x 2 hours weekly; Tutorial 1 x 1 hour weekly
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites:

Admission into one of the following courses

MC-ARCH Master of Architecture
MC-ARCH2Y Master of Architecture (200 points)
MC-ARCH3Y Master of Architecture (300 points)
MC-LARCH Landscape Master of Architecture
MC-LARCH2Y Landscape Master of Architecture (200 points)
MC-LARCH3Y Landscape Master of Architecture (300 points)
MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning

or approval from the subject coordinator.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

None; the coordinator welcomes students from landscape, architecture, urban design and related disciplines who wish to extend their knowledge of ecology and design towards a greater conceptual understanding of sustainable design.

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Margaret Grose

Contact

The Eastern Precinct (building 138)
(between Doug McDonell building and Eastern Resource Centre)

Enquiries:
Current Student: http://ask.unimelb.edu.au/
Web: http://msd.unimelb.edu.au/



Subject Overview:

This subject explores the principles of ecological systems. It will introduce basic ecological concepts and fundamental ecological systems, and their applications in landscape design. It will include plants and biomes, soils and water, spatial geometries, emergence, resilience, and the ecological performance of designs in relation to design speculations. The subject will be delivered through lectures and/or guest lectures, tutorials, field trip/s, and more practical sessions synthesising dominant themes in these areas.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject the student should be able to:

  • Understand basic concepts and theory in ecology and ecological systems;
  • Understand the relationships between ecological systems and design;
  • Interpret landscapes as living ecological systems;
  • Relate key environmental factors or gradients to dominant ecological processes in landscapes.

Assessment:
  • Spatial analyses of 3 diagram based projects over 3 weeks, due weeks 2, 3 and 4, 30% in total, 1500 words (word equivalent), approximately 500 words each;
  • Ecological field observation mapping, due week 6, 20%, 1000 words (word equivalent);
  • In class design assessment on performative ecology, due selected tutorial (hurdle requirement);
  • Essay on set choice of questions given early in semester, due week 11, 20%, 1200 words;
  • Catalogue of performative ecology projects, due during Exam period, 30%, 1500 (word equivalent).

Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory completion of class design assessment on performative ecology

Prescribed Texts:

W.E. Dramstad, J.D. Olson and R.T.T Forman. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land Use Planning. Island Press, Washington, DC, 1996.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should have developed the following:

  • correct use of technical terminology;
  • evaluation of design and planning decisions;
  • critical thinking skills;
  • conceptual and spatial thinking skills;
  • scale thinking skills;
  • analysis and synthesis of information to propose solutions;
  • written competency;
  • communication of design and planning ideas verbally and graphically.

Related Course(s): Master of Landscape Architecture
Master of Landscape Architecture
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 200 point Master of Landscape Architecture
300 point Master of Landscape Architecture
Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation
Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation
Melbourne School of Design multidisciplinary elective subjects
Tailored Specialisation
Tailored Specialisation

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