Overview of Course

Humans have been manipulating their environments for the entirety of their existence. This course opens exploration into human altered landscapes beginning with ancient landscapes and continuing through contemporary landscapes in urban environments. The course is an overview of the history of the designed landscape - public and private landscapes - those that have been designed and altered substantially, those of conservation, and those of preservation. Students will learn to analyze and diagram spatial relationships of significant monuments and spaces, critically read maps of the urban form, and identify critical environmental and cultural influences that shape the built landscape.