LARC40420 Landscape Research 1

Academic Year 2021/2022

The module prepares students for the Spring trimester design studio 4B.

It introduces sources, materials and some methods of research commonly used in the broad area of landscape architecture, and teaches students how to improve academic writing.

Taught through 6 seminars that support and review student-led efforts throughout the Autumn trimester, the class as a whole engages with subjects of contemporary debate. Students prepare individually (or in groups) by exploring a critical landscape issue through reading, research, fieldwork and discussion. Students write a 5000 word illustrated report that summarizes the causes and consequences of a particular issue and makes proposals to bring about change (a thesis). Students choose sites in which to test their ideas in the following studio 4B. The site selection process as well as the site itself are investigated and described in the report.

Each student investigates an issue of importance to contemporary society, prepares a review of current literature and analyses the chosen topic in relation to a specific site.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students improve research, documentation and writing skills, learning to apply greater critical thinking in the appraisal of a current situation.

On completion of this module students should have
- Prepared a review of current literature on a chosen topic
- Improved familiarity of research methods and applied them in pursuit of knowledge about a topic
- Demonstrated critical thinking in the appraisal of an issue of contemporary importance in landscape architecture
- Demonstrated academic writing skills in the documentation and communication of their research and the process



Indicative Module Content:

Landscape related issues of contemporary importance to society

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

18
Conversation Class

6
Autonomous Student Learning

96
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active task-based self-directed learning; moderated peer group debate;; critical writing; enquiry & problem-based learning; case-based learning; student presentations, etc. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Final illustrated written report and appendices Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50
Assignment: Plan Diagrams and Written Framework Week 7 n/a Graded No

25
Assignment: Site selection and initial summary Week 4 n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback follows submissions and/or presentations. Peer review and self assessment activities are part of a formative assessment strategy.

Name Role
Mr John McCord Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Desmond Byrne Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn