Learning outcomes:

Graduates of this programme shall have the following knowledge, skills, and general competences:

Knowledge: Graduates will have advanced knowledge within landscape architecture and particular insight regarding practices in a global context – considering sustainability, climate change, post-disaster and post-conflict situations. They will have in-depth knowledge of the design-thinking approach to problem solving along with field-based methods for qualitative research, landscape and context analyses, and action-research. Their exposure to inter- and trans-disciplinary teamwork will prepare them to apply and assess knowledge from different disciplines to develop new landscape architecture solutions. They will further understand historic and contemporary theory in landscape architecture and development studies and be able to critically consider the meanings of each in particular societal contexts.

Skills: Graduates will have the skills to analyse and critically consider different information sources and apply these to argue for their landscape architecture problem solutions. They will be able to analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in landscape architecture and development studies against particular physical, social, environmental, and governance contexts in order to form independent theoretical and practical problem solutions. They will be able to identify and apply relevant qualitative and quantitative methods for research and landscape analysis purposes, as well as use them to inform practical solutions – both independently and in teams. Through studio courses and the master’s thesis, they will be able to execute independent projects with research, analysis, and design components, under supervision and aligned with ethical norms.

General competences: Graduates will be able to analyse the research ethics dimensions of landscape architectural problems, practices, and solutions. The programme will prepare them to apply their knowledge and skills to new areas to implement their competences in cases of environmental, societal, and territorial challenges. The studio courses will prepare the students to independently communicate and disseminate their ideas 1) to other professionals through landscape architecture presentation critiques, and 2) to the public through courses that incorporate workshop design and participatory methods. These two forums will additionally prepare the students to explain practical landscape problems, methods and analyses they employ, and to communicate their problem-solutions to different types of audiences, while accepting and incorporating critical feedback. The transdisciplinary nature of the programme will prepare the students to contribute with new approaches and innovation in landscape practices, by looking across geographical scales and disciplinary boundaries for inspiration and understanding.

Academic breadth (area, level, scope)

The programme has a transdisciplinary focus, and spans the traditional landscape architecture curriculum from landscape management, planning and design, including landscape ecology, as well as theory and methods from development studies.

Academic depth (area, level, scope)

The programme has a research focus and is at a master level.

The internal disciplinary connections

The programme builds up from the Bachelor’s level of landscape architecture and related studies to an advanced level of global landscape architecture.

Compulsory parts and electives

The programme consists of 60 ECTS compulsory credits including an introduction to Landscape Architecture for Global Sustainability, a theory course about ‘Landscape in a globalised world’ and a series of three studio courses with a focus on analysis and design of contested landscapes.

In addition, 30 ECTS are electives and the master thesis is 30 ECTS, both of which can be chosen by the students together with study and academic advisors.

Preparation for and participation in lectures – with the use of academic literature and case studies will support the knowledge and critical thinking dimensions of the learning outcomes. Students will be able to connect their experiences and specific cases to relevant theoretical literature.

Participation in seminars with teachers present – will teach the students to discuss subjects across disciplinary backgrounds to understand different sides to global and local landscape challenges. Students will be able to define themes for discussion and collect relevant literature and case-study material upon which to base the discussions.

Studio-based problem solving – will allow the students to learn in a similar manner as in traditional landscape architecture education. Problems will be based upon real physical sites with a variety of contexts that the students must learn to analyse as part of developing solutions. These studios will offer both independent and group work projects, and group presentations will call upon the students to critique and constructively argue for and against each other’s work. The studio courses provide opportunities for and expect students to work independently within the thematic framework of the courses. Constant exchange of diverse disciplinary backgrounds and perspectives within participants will be encouraged and supported.

Exercises – will be assigned in and outside the classroom for the students to practice different analysis methods and presentation skills. These will allow each student to spend time with a variety of methods, which they can later apply independently to project and research work.

Fieldwork – will be encouraged for students to experiences new contexts, so that they can reflect upon contextual differences and ground their master’s research and problem-solving on complex, real-life situations. The students will be able to determine and design their own fieldwork experiences based on their particular interests, learning goals, and needs, with the help of study advisors.

Internationalisation

All courses in the programme will be conducted in English giving international students the opportunity to join the regularly outlined semesters and choose from a preselection of relevant electives (in English). Courses from the first two semesters can be offered to students from partner universities.

The programme is developed as an international master’s degree programme, where students will be attracted from different parts of the world. The courses include group work that will provide many opportunities for the exchange of intercultural experience and knowledge. Courses will cover ethical concerns as well as knowledge about working internationally and experiencing cultural differences.