History of Landscape Design (LARC30002)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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Interpreting Australian Landscape Design forms part of the Design Histories Specialisation.

This subject develops an understanding of the formative influences to have shaped contemporary public and private landscapes.

A critical examination of the historical development of landscape design in Australia requires study of: key international design precedents through history; social influences, personalities and institutions in Australia; and, philosophies, theories and events that have defined physical outcomes.

Fieldwork is directed toward the study and evaluation of selected case study sites as viable heritage landscapes within established principles of conservation, management and heritage interpretation.

Intended learning outcomes

Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of international and historical periods to have shaped Australian landscape architecture from the seventeenth century to the current day
  • Understand and identify via case study research the formative cultural and physical influences which have affected landscape design outcomes in the past.
  • Apply the principles used in historical landscape design projects to solving contemporary problems related to designing for the conservation, interpretation and management of places in Australia.

Generic skills

  • • Capacity for independent thought; • Understanding the interrelationship of ideas, events and technologies with physical or documented examples; • Ability to apply historic knowledge to conceptualise designed outcomes; • Demonstrated ability to research through the competent use of library, archives and other sources of historic data.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
No longer available
ARCH20003 Modern Architecture: MoMo to PoMo
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PLAN10001 Cities Past and Future
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ABPL20055 Global Foundations of Design
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

ABPL10006 History of Landscape Design

ABPL20039 History of Designed Landscapes

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

A candidate for the Bachelor of Design degree must have abilities and skills which include the following: observation; communication; motor; conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and behavioural and social.
Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.
Observation: A candidate must be able to read text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations of environmental contexts.
Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.
Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from external contexts. Off-campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments. Candidates should have sufficient motor ability to prepare documentation of analytic texts, drawings and models of findings and for the preparation of proposals for environmental interventions via digital or other means. A candidate should have the ability to actively participate in appropriate site and/or design studio‐based activities.
Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of graduates, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three‐dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
Major‐specific core participation requirements
Certain Majors employ studio-based learning, which includes the requirement to present work and to receive critique and feedback publically. “Crits” are an integral part of working in the industry and are an inherent requirement of the course.
The Bachelor of Design welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is the University and degree policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable a student’s participation in the Bachelor of Design.
Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support (SEDS).

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Research poster

  • 800 words (equivalent)
From Week 3 to Week 620%

A fieldwork report

  • 800 words
Week 920%

Site investigation report

  • 1600 words (equivalent)
Week 1240%

Exam

  • 60 minutes
End of semester20%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorAndrew Saniga
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours1X2 hour lecture and 1X1 hour tutorial per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Subject Coordinator

    Andrew Saniga

    ajsaniga@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025