Contemp'ry Theory & Australian Landscape

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

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

This subject is based on a review of recent theoretical developments in the areas of landscape architecture, landscape perceptions and landscape theory, and their application to the Australian landscape and contemporary landscape architectural practice. The latter is introduced by lectures, critiques and case analyses linking theory to execute works. Guest lecturers include practitioners and theorists in the areas covered, including cultural landscape, iconography of landscape, artistic interpretations and the history of various arts and their approaches to landscape.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Understand the way that the Australian landscape has been perceived by its inhabitants and how those perceptions have changed with time.

• Have a developing knowledge of landscape theory.

• Trace the way practitioners of landscape planning and design have responded in their practice.

• Appreciate what changing perceptions suggest to us about landscape planning and design today.

• Outline the way that the Australian landscape has been perceived and experienced at different times in history.

• Describe ways that landscape planning and design might better respond to the cultural and natural landscape on the basis of case studies and critical analysis.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Critical thinking skills and analysis.

• Skills in seeking, evaluating and retrieving information.

• Comprehension of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing.

• The ability to work individually and in groups.