Undergraduate Course: Landscape Architecture Dissertation by Design (ARCH10036)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 40 |
ECTS Credits | 20 |
| Summary | In this course you will investigate a landscape-architectural topic of your interest negotiated with a member of academic staff. By following research-by-design theories, methods and tools, you will undertake sustained and in-depth research towards the presentation of two outputs: a 6,000-word piece of academic writing and a visual portfolio of supporting research-by-design findings. |
| Course description |
The course Landscape Architecture Dissertation by Design encourages the definition, planning and completion of research-by-design on a topic of your interest related to the discipline of landscape architecture. This topic will be previously negotiated with the course organiser and/or a member of academic staff. The course requires you to produce two significant outputs: a 6,000-word, coherently argued, fully referenced and appropriately illustrated piece of academic writing, integrating contemporary core research methods, theories, tools, and techniques in landscape architecture, and a final visual portfolio that fully supports and demonstrates the research-by-design findings explored in the written piece (including drawings, models and devices).
Preparation and research for the course will be supported by research methods seminars to help you to plan and organise the study materials and research-by-design methods required in the writing of the Dissertation, as well as editing and curatorial techniques involved in the production of the Visual Portfolio. You will also have five tutorials with your allocated tutor along the semester in strategic moments of revision of your work.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is only available to students enrolled on the MA (Hons) Landscape Architecture programme and MSc Landscape Architecture Programme. |
| Additional Costs | Costs in this course may vary radically, but typically costs have ranged between £70 and £150. An average student will spend approximately £100. This value includes costs involved in the printing and binding of two paper copies of the dissertation that need to be submitted to the School and in the printing and binding of two paper copies of the visual portfolio with research-by-design findings. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Develop in depth, clarity and rigour a research-by-design topic and demonstrate its relevance to cultural, historical and/or philosophical themes in the discipline of landscape architecture.
- Conduct a clear line of research enquiry by following with precision a refined research-by-design methodology and presenting relevant data organised selectively.
- Develop a structured and substantial, well-written, professionally-presented and well-referenced piece of academic writing through a high level of critical enquiry, which presents clear research-by-design objectives and original conclusions.
- Develop refined visual material, which demonstrates strong articulation between research-by-design methods and processes of design development, and present it in an edited, well-curated and clearly structured visual portfolio.
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Reading List
The readings in this list should be used as guides. The nature of this course requires students to develop their own reading list according to their research topic).
Reading List:
Joyner, R. L.; Rouse, W. A.; Glathorn, A. A. (2013). Writing the Winning Dissertation: a step-by-step guide. Corwin Press, USA
Madsen, D. (1992) Successful Dissertations & Theses: a guide to graduate student research from proposal to completion
Mauch, J.; Park, N. (2003). Guide to the Successful Thesis & Dissertation: a handbook for students & faculty. CRC Press, USA
Rudestam, K.; Newton, R. (2014). Surviving your dissertation: a comprehensive guide to content & process. Sage Publications, USA
Booth, W. C.; Colomb, G. C.; Williams, J. M. (2008). The Craft of Research. University of Chicago Press, USA
Borden, I.; Ruedi, K. (2000). Dissertation: An Architectural Student's Handbook. Oxford: Architectural Press.
Russell, Terrence M. (1992). Essays, Reports and Dissertations: Guidance Notes on the Preparation and Presentation of Written Work. University of Edinburgh Library Guide No. 42.
Editorial List for further reference:
Journals
Journal of Landscape Architecture, JOLA (2-2016) - Editorial Papers
Landscape Research - Editorial Papers
Web
Landscape Performance: http://landscapeperformance.org/
Scenario Journal: www.scenariojournal.com
Places Journal: www.placesjournal.org
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
On the completion of this course you will:
- Demonstrate independent, self-directed research skills, using methodologies, theories, techniques and tools
- Demonstrate strong critical analysis skills in: thinking, writing, documentation and publication
- Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills in a precise and finely edited format
- Demonstrate advanced editing and curatorial skills involved in the preparation and production of a visual portfolio of research-by-design findings
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| Keywords | Dissertation,Landscape Architectural Research-by-Design,Theory |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr John Lowrey
Tel: (0131 6)50 2314
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Karen Biggar
Tel: (0131 6)51 5803
Email: |
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