Course

GLA303 Landscape in a Globalised World: Historical and Theoretical Perspectives

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Lei Gao

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:40 students

Course frequency:Every year

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:Autumn parallel

About this course

The course provides insight into the theoretical and historical perspectives on the major challenges afflicting the planet and their repercussions on the landscapes in a globalized world. Fundamental issues such as global urbanization, migration, climate change, loss of biodiversity will be addressed. Particular importance will be attached to how extensive networks of economic, cultural, social, and political interconnections and processes transform landscapes at different scales. GLA303 is organized into three modules.

Each module consists of

• Lectures: by the teachers of the course and by invited guests.

• Seminars/workshops: students lead discussions and activities on the Miro board

• Self-study: reading of papers and analysis of contemporary landscape design projects, resulting in written and oral assignments

Learning outcome

Knowledge: Students will be able to identify the relationships between global processes and landscapes while recognizing the significant challenges affecting the contemporary world.

Skills : Students will be able to demonstrate analytical and critical understanding in reading and analyzing global phenomena in contextualized landscapes through the different historical and theoretical perspectives.

General competences : Students will develop their ability to communicate orally and in written form about their insights with scientific rigor and adequate use of terminology.

  • Learning activities
    Lectures and in-class discussions, seminars, student activities on MIRO board, short essay writing, oral presentations, and self learning
  • Teaching support
    Feedback during oral presentations and in-class discussions. Feedback, advice, communication, tips on CANVAS and MIRO board. Course teachers are available during office hours for professional and teaching support. Students are recommended to set a meeting with him/her if necessary.
  • Assessment method

    Portfolio. During the semester, students are given various tasks (short essays, oral presentations, Miro activities). These tasks collectively form a portfolio that counts for 50% of the final grade. The other 50% will be assessed through a final oral presentation, where students (in groups of 2-3) present an existing landscape project of their choice, analyse it using theories and knowledge learned in the course, and answer questions from examiners.

    Grading: Pass/Fail (to pass the exam, students need to pass both the portfolio and the final oral presentation)



    Home exam with portfolio Karakterregel: Letter grades
  • Examiner scheme
    At least 2 internal examiners will participate in the evaluation of the final oral presentation. Criteria for Pass/Feil will be set up by the course responsible teacher and agreed upon by the internal examiners during the semester.
  • Mandatory activity
    At least 80% participation in lectures and seminars, class discussions, activities on the MIRO board
  • Teaching hours
    250 hours (approx. 60 hours of lectures, seminars, and in-class supervision; approx. 190 hours of self-study, including literature reading, Miro activities, and work on short essays and oral presentations)
  • Preferential right
    Students enrolled in the Master in Landscape Architecture for Global Sustainability program.
  • Admission requirements
    The course is open to Master's students in the School of Landscape Architecture (both GLA and MLA programmes) and Noragric. Master's students from other faculties with an interest in landscape studies are also welcome to apply.