LARC10110 Understanding the Landscape

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module helps develop an understanding of the landscape as a complex, ever-changing place. We'll discuss the concept of landscape and analyse its various scales, definitions, meanings and values through readings, writing, walks, talks, looking, seeing. feeling, and describing, in words, as well as through drawings and painting. The UCD campus is explored as a living classroom, and palimpsest, where physical, biological and cultural aspects of an ancient landscape are hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students will:
1. Understand that the term “landscape” carries different meanings to different people
2. Be familiar with the concepts of the Anthropocene, and of the cultural and natural world
3. Be familiar with processes that have shaped and shape the landscape in Ireland and elsewhere
4. Be able to read landscape maps, and describe a familiar landscape, and how it has changed over time, at a variety of scales.

Indicative Module Content:

Thinking about the landscape.
Experiencing the landscape
Looking, seeing and describing the landscape.
Creative and academic writing.
Reading maps, and plans. Exploring the present.
Reading the landscape through historical maps.
Identifying and describing change.
Landscape as palimpsest.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Lectures

10
Online Learning

25
Total

115
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The approach is on active learning, we build on what students already know. There will be group work, lectures, class discussion, critical reflection and peer learning. Active engagement is required.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Contribution to class, engagement, weekly Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No

20

 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Week 11 Quizzlet, in class. Week 11 Graded No

40

 No
Group Work Assignment: Analysis and description of a landscape, weekly assignments Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 Graded No

40

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

General feedback on in-semester assignment will be issued to students in class, as the exercise is underway. Class feedback issued in writing. Face to face tutorials and feedback at the request of the student.

Name Role
Assoc Professor John Fry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer