Aims

This module provides the principal introduction to landscape concepts and theory for the programme. It will introduce students to the various, and sometimes competing and opposed, ways in which landscape has been conceptualised, defined and understood. It highlights the philosophical theories, critical positions, and socio-political agendas which underpin different approaches to landscape and drivers of (rapid) environmental/ecological change.

The module draws upon recent writings in landscape (architecture, planning, management and ecology), cultural geography, environmental ethics, ecology, and heritage studies. It explores core themes at the nature-culture-environment nexus, and will relate these to the interlinked crises of our times: globalisation, urbanisation, climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and mass migration of populations (human and non-human).

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus explores themes including (but not limited to):
- Landscape, Art and Imaginaries
- Heritage Landscapes
- Borderscapes and Militarism
- Landscape and Justice (social, environmental, climatic, multi-species)
- Migratory Landscapes (including biosecurity)
- Seascape (character and assessment)
- Re/Wilding (and biodiversity net gain)
- Post-industrial landscape (priority habitats and conservation gain)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will be introduced to a range of different definitions and understandings of landscape, the aim being to stimulate their own critical responses to landscape issues, regardless of their original disciplinary backgrounds, and thus to prepare them to produce their own creative responses to landscape issues across the programme.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The creative reflective diary is intended to assess understanding of the material presented in the module and to provide an opportunity to respond critically to this material, and to engage critically with wider literature.