Course Catalogue

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The course considers urban landscapes as site-specific symbioses of human activities and natural environments, through critical analysis of examples from different cultural contexts and historical periods. The course examines the interdependent relationships among social, political, economic, philosophical, and aesthetic forces, and the natural environment, that produce urban landscapes.  Emphasis will be given to 'green' urban landscapes, how cultural forces are spatialised on such sites, and how these landscapes are experienced at human scale.  Reflecting on past and present practices, the course will consider the prospect of urban landscapes to facilitate a more equitable and sustainable future.

Three 2-hour lectures and two 1-hour lectures;

Two 1-hour review seminars

Fulfilment of entry requirements to Level 3 Geography

None

None

Assessments

■ One critical analysis of urban landscape based on fieldwork and presented as a short report (40%);

■ One 2000-word illustrated essay (60%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

■ To evaluate the impacts of different cultural forces in creating urban landscapes and how, in turn, urban landscapes may influence and shape everyday human activities and culture;

■ To compare critically examples of 'green' urban landscapes across different cultural contexts, periods, and scales, to consider their functional significance and cultural meanings, including their future prospects;

■ To analyse the impact of cultural forces in everyday experiences in urban landscapes, and the impacts on one's life, well-being, and identity.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.