Landscape Studies, Minor
The Landscape Studies Minor invites students to explore landscape practices through critical historical and contemporary perspectives. This six-course unit program allows students to engage in a nuanced exploration of landscapes, moving beyond conventional perceptions of physical spaces to recognize them as dynamic systems. This shift in perspective acknowledges the transformative power inherent in landscapes, emphasizing their capacity to influence and reshape collective ideas about the relationships between nature and society.
Within this framework, students are encouraged to consider the entanglement of political, social, and environmental factors that converge in the landscape, fostering an acute appreciation for these intersectional relationships. Positioned at the nexus of cultural studies, environmental science, urban studies, and creative practice, the minor surveys the significance of landscapes in the world. Central to the curriculum is the recognition that landscapes possess transformative power, capable of influencing and reshaping our collective perceptions of dynamic ecological systems.
Beyond traditional perspectives, the Landscape Studies minor places a specific emphasis on urban landscapes, where the intricate ecologies of biodiversity and human interaction converge. Global migration patterns of humans, plants, and animals in response to accelerating urbanization are fundamentally interwoven with landscape design practices, demanding nuanced strategies to address the confluence of social and ecological challenges in rapidly evolving cities worldwide. Students will deepen their understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that lie at the dynamic conflux of nature and cities.
The Landscape Studies Minor prepares students for advanced studies in Landscape Architecture and related fields, empowering them with knowledge and skills to navigate complex and dynamic landscapes of the future.
For more information: http://www.design.upenn.edu/landscape-architecture/undergraduate-minor
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 2 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Land Practice | ||
| Languages of Landscape: Global Perspectives on the Meaning of Landscape and Place | ||
| Theory I | ||
| Environmental Studies Requirement | ||
| Select one course with AARE attribute | 1 | |
| Culture, Society, and the City Requirement | ||
| Select one course with the AARC attribute | 1 | |
| Landscape Electives | ||
| Select two LARP electives 1 | 2 | |
| Total Course Units | 6 | |
- 1
LARP Electives will be chosen from a selection of graduate-level Landscape Architecture courses that have been identified by the department as suitable for undergraduate students. These courses will be selected in consultation with the Chair of Landscape Architecture and/or the Undergraduate Architecture Chair, ensuring proper guidance and alignment with the students' academic goals.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.