History of Landscape Architecture I

This course presents a history of landscape architecture between 1850 and 1950, with a particular emphasis on the Western world. By studying the projects and writings that defined the modern landscape architecture discipline, and exploring connections to urbanism and architecture, students will be able to situate their own design investigations in a historical context. A series of lectures and discussions will highlight themes that are of continued relevance, including professional identity, regionalism and nationalism, gender and design, and social and ecological responsibility. Projects will range from the garden to the city and from garden city to highway. The scope of investigations will integrate lesser-known or marginalized figures of landscape architecture to critically assess the role and image of the profession. Students are expected to actively participate in class, respond to readings in writing, and establish parallels between historical and contemporary examples.