Horticulture for Sustainable Communities

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total time commitment = 170

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

Horticulture for Sustainable Communities examines the role of urban horticulture as a discipline that seeks to sustain and improve our quality of life. It explores the relationship between people, plants and the wider environment. This is done by examining methodologies for minimising the potentially negative environmental impacts of horticulture in both public and private landscapes such as over-use of fertilisers and cultivation of environmental weeds. At the same time this subject analyses the positive contribution of urban horticulture to best practice natural resource and open space management, nature conservation and urban agriculture. Topics covered in this subject include: sustainability theory and practice; consumer horticulture and gardening inputs; public open space and community health; urban agriculture; ecological restoration and horticulture; and community and therapeutic horticulture.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• think critically about sustainability challenges faced in horticultural organisations /enterprises and in private and public landscapes using both the academic and wider grey and popular literature on plants, gardening and urban horticulture; and
• understand practical techniques and solutions that allow horticulture to improve quality of life in an urban context

One mid semester 2000 word assignment (50%) and one end semester 2000 word assignment (50%).

Levetin, E & McMahon, M (2012) Plants and Society. McGraw Hill: New York

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Exercise problem-solving skills (developed through practical exercises and lecture discussions),
• Think critically, and organise knowledge (from consideration of the lecture material),
• Expand from theoretical principles to practical explanations (through observing practical work),
• Plan effective work schedules (to meet deadlines for submission of assessable work),