Ken McCown
Department Head
Vol Walker Hall
479-575-4907
Department of Landscape Architecture Website
The Department of Landscape Architecture offers two degrees, the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture described on this page and the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architectural Studies. The department also participates in the administration of the planning and planting design minors on campus. With sustainability administered through the Fay Jones School, these degrees and minors offer students a robust package to develop the tools and acumen necessary to have an impact on making sustainable and resilient places for people and the planet.
The Department of Landscape Architecture focuses on design and advocacy. The faculty in our department believe in the power of design and want to help our students and stakeholders become effective advocates to make positive and lasting change as collaborators and leaders.
The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture prepares students to practice landscape architecture as licensed professionals. Landscape Architecture is the sustainability profession, with practitioners providing meaningful solutions to such pressing topics as, climate change and resilience, clean water and air, health wellness and aging, and habitat and loss of it due to cataclysmic events such as wildfire.
The practice of landscape architecture ranges across the geographic spectrum from urban to suburban, rural and ecosystems. Landscape architects appropriately use systems thinking in the planning and design of systems, and design thinking at many scales, including of course to make spaces and places people inhabit outside. Planning and analysis projects for systems include habitat and conservation, watersheds, and infrastructure such as food and agriculture, energy, and transportation. Design thinking enables landscape architects to create parks, plazas, greenways, community gardens, green alleyways, green roofs and walls, and innovative and natural stormwater treatment in urban sites and places.
Sustainable and resilient landscapes for residential areas are also a part of practice, ranging from high-density urban housing to rural landscapes. Cultural landscapes and historic, designed sites are also in the domain of landscape architectural practice. These represent an important body of work for practitioners. From the broad list above, opportunities are legion to use planning, design and design thinking to make better places for all.
The Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architectural Studies serves students who are interested in the design disciplines, but not professional practice. This four-year program suits students who seek careers in allied planning and design disciplines, including urban and regional planning, historic preservation, environmental law, and architectural history. This degree is an excellent platform for students looking forward to graduate education in professions such as architecture, landscape architecture, geography, and urban and regional planning.
Landscape Architecture – Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board
The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in Landscape Architecture. LAAB recognizes the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, and Masters of Landscape Architecture. It accredits each program every six years, evaluating degree of conformance with established education standards.
The University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design's department of landscape architecture offers the following LAAB-accredited degree program:
- B.L.A. (142 undergraduate credits)
The next accreditation visit for the B.L.A. program is academic year 2027-28.
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree
Requirements for completion of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture include the state minimum core.
As part of the state minimum core, the department recommends the following: | 35 | |
Laboratory Science | ||
Select two of the following natural sciences for a total of eight hours: | ||
Principles of Biology (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1014 Lecture) and Principles of Biology Laboratory (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1014 Lab) | ||
Plant Biology (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1034 Lecture) and Plant Biology Laboratory (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1034 Lab) | ||
Physical Geology (ACTS Equivalency = GEOL 1114 Lecture) and Physical Geology Laboratory (ACTS Equivalency = GEOL 1114 Lab) | ||
UNIV 1001 | University Perspectives | 1 |
Completion of the following Professional Core: | ||
Design and Advocacy Components | ||
LARC 1315 | Fundamental Design Skills | 5 |
LARC 1325 | Fundamental Design Methodology | 5 |
LARC 2335 | Landscape Architecture Design III: Engaging Site, Engaging Place | 5 |
LARC 2351 | Advocacy and Theory Module: Engaging Site, Engaging Place | 1 |
LARC 2345 | Landscape Architecture IV: Collaborating with Site | 5 |
LARC 2361 | Advocacy and Theory Module: Collaborating with Site | 1 |
LARC 3355 | Landscape Architecture Design V: International Urban Place | 5 |
LARC 2371 | Advocacy and Theory Module: International Urban Place | 1 |
LARC 3365 | Landscape Architecture Design VI: Engaging Communities; Understanding Culture | 5 |
LARC 3381 | Advocacy and Theory Module: Engaging Communities; Understanding Culture | 1 |
LARC 3375 | Landscape Architecture Design VII: Collaborating with Communities | 5 |
LARC 3391 | Advocacy and Theory Module: Collaborating with Communities | 1 |
LARC 4385 | Landscape Architecture Design VIII: Capstone | 5 |
LARC 4311 | Advocacy and Theory Module: Capstone | 1 |
LARC 4395 | Landscape Architecture Design IX: Comprehensive | 5 |
LARC 4321 | Advocacy and Theory Module: Comprehensive | 1 |
Communications Components | ||
LARC 2113 | Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | 3 |
LARC 3123 | Advanced Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | 3 |
Honors students may also substitute up to 6 hours of the following: | ||
Honors Special Projects | ||
Construction Components | ||
LARC 2714 | Ecological Design and Construction: Terrain | 4 |
LARC 2914 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Plant Communities | 4 |
LARC 3724 | Ecological Design and Construction: Water and Drainage | 4 |
LARC 3734 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Material and Methods of Assembly | 4 |
LARC 3914 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Remediation and Plants on Structure | 4 |
History and Theory Components | ||
LARC 3413 | History of Landscape Architecture I | 3 |
LARC 4033 | Landscape Architecture Theory | 3 |
LARC 4413 | History of Landscape Architecture II | 3 |
LARC 4123 | Urban Form Studies | 3 |
Practice Components | ||
LARC 4811 | Landscape Architecture Interns | 1 |
LARC 5613 | Landscape Architectural Professional Practice | 3 |
Professional Electives | 9 | |
Students may select courses from the Departments of Landscape Architecture, Interior Design and Architecture as well as courses in history, geography, horticulture, art, sociology, environmental studies, and business. These courses can be thematically selected to emphasize urban studies, ecological planning, construction management, and land development. | ||
Free Electives | 3 | |
Students are encouraged to take courses outside the Department to broaden their education. | ||
Total Hours | 142 |
- Candidates seeking graduation shall achieve a minimum of 142 hours and a minimum of a "C-" in each course within the professional curriculum. The remaining balance of hours shall have a minimum of 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade-point average to continue in the studio sequence. Any student receiving a "D+/-" or below in the professional core shall repeat the course. Any student with a second "D+/-" or below shall be considered for non-continuance in the program as determined by the department head and faculty. To continue in the professional program, the student must submit a portfolio after their second year for faculty review. Please see section "Admission to the Professional Program in Landscape Architecture."
- Students in landscape architecture are required to complete the department's summer study abroad program, after their second year.
NOTE: No more than four hours of physical education and/or R.O.T.C. may be counted toward a degree. Courses not acceptable toward degree credit include those of a remedial or orientation nature and whose content are considered to be measurably duplicated elsewhere in the school’s curriculum.
By following the preceding curriculum, students will meet the state-mandated State Minimum Core requirements. They must also meet all other University Requirements for graduation. The department strongly recommends that transfer students present eight hours of laboratory science courses selected from botany, biology, geology, and physical science as part of the state minimum core.
Students admitted to the university with a completed two-year associate of arts or associate of science degree from an Arkansas state-supported two-year or four-year college or university will receive credit for general education (core) requirements in accordance with ACT 182. All students also must complete any lower division discipline specific courses required for the major as well as all courses required to comply with the conditions of accreditation.
Grade Appeals – Department of Landscape Architecture
Students in the Department of Landscape Architecture may appeal grades in the design studios as well as other professional courses in which it is believed that there are questions of fairness or equity in the application of the published grading policy of the faculty member. Appeals must be made in writing to the department head one week before the first week of the subsequent semester. The appeal will be presented to the entire Landscape Architecture faculty for consideration and may require the students to present their case in person. Outcomes of grade appeals may result in one of the following:
1. A recommendation to the faculty member regarding the grade appeal of the student.
2. A requirement for the student to repeat the design studio course and any co-requisite.
3. A recommendation for enrollment in the subsequent studio course, while advising the student of the need to achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.00 (in the studio sequence) for admission to the professional program.
Professional Licensure Degree Requirement
The School’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program is accredited by LAAB, which requires that specific criteria be met in a professional program. This ten-semester professional program gives graduates the required accredited degree to qualify to take the licensing exam and prepares them for practice as a licensed professional.
All fifty states require licensure for landscape architects. The primary purpose of this licensure is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Most states require that candidates possess an accredited degree in landscape architecture and complete a period of professional experience, working with a licensed landscape architect. The department curriculum requires a summer internship during the third year of the program as part of this developmental period. Once the requirements of an accredited degree and the necessary internship period are complete, candidates must pass a national, four-part exam, sometimes with additional sections unique to that state.
Landscape Architecture B.L.A.
Ten-Semester Degree Program
The professional program for a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree must be completed in 10 semesters of coursework and is not eligible for the Eight-Semester Degree Completion Program. However, the following 10-semester sample plan shows how a first-year student could obtain a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree in five years if the student is admitted to the Landscape Architecture Design Studio and subsequently is admitted to the professional program.
First Year | Units | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Spring | Summer | |
LARC 1315 Fundamental Design Skills | 5 | ||
Select one of the following (Satisfies General Education Outcome 3.4): | 4 | ||
BIOL 1613 Plant Biology (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1034 Lecture) & BIOL 1611L Plant Biology Laboratory (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1034 Lab) | |||
BIOL 1543 Principles of Biology (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1014 Lecture) & BIOL 1541L Principles of Biology Laboratory (ACTS Equivalency = BIOL 1014 Lab) | |||
MATH 1203 College Algebra (ACTS Equivalency = MATH 1103) (Satisfies General Education Outcome 2.1) | 3 | ||
ENGL 1013 Composition I (ACTS Equivalency = ENGL 1013) (Satisfies General Education Outcome 1.1) | 3 | ||
UNIV 1001 University Perspectives | 1 | ||
LARC 1325 Fundamental Design Methodology (Satisfies General Education Outcome 1.2) | 5 | ||
Satisfies General Education Outcome 3.4: | |||
GEOS 1113 Physical Geology (ACTS Equivalency = GEOL 1114 Lecture) & GEOS 1111L Physical Geology Laboratory (ACTS Equivalency = GEOL 1114 Lab) | 4 | ||
SOCI 2013 General Sociology (ACTS Equivalency = SOCI 1013) (Satisfies General Education Outcome 3.3) | 3 | ||
ENGL 1023 Composition II (ACTS Equivalency = ENGL 1023) (Satisfies General Education Outcome 1.1) | 3 | ||
Year Total: | 16 | 15 | |
Second Year | Units | ||
Fall | Spring | Summer | |
LARC 2335 Landscape Architecture Design III: Engaging Site, Engaging Place | 5 | ||
LARC 2351 Advocacy and Theory Module: Engaging Site, Engaging Place | 1 | ||
LARC 2113 Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | 3 | ||
LARC 2714 Ecological Design and Construction: Terrain | 4 | ||
LARC 3413 History of Landscape Architecture I | 3 | ||
LARC 2345 Landscape Architecture IV: Collaborating with Site | 5 | ||
LARC 2361 Advocacy and Theory Module: Collaborating with Site | 1 | ||
LARC 2914 Sustainable Design and Construction: Plant Communities | 4 | ||
LARC 3724 Ecological Design and Construction: Water and Drainage | 4 | ||
LARC 4413 History of Landscape Architecture II (Satisfies General Education Outcome 1.2) | 3 | ||
LARC 3355 Landscape Architecture Design V: International Urban Place | 5 | ||
LARC 2371 Advocacy and Theory Module: International Urban Place | 1 | ||
LARC 4033 Landscape Architecture Theory (Satisfies General Education Outcome 6.1) | 3 | ||
LARC 4123 Urban Form Studies (Satisfies General Education Outcome 4.1) | 3 | ||
Year Total: | 16 | 17 | 12 |
Third Year | Units | ||
Fall | Spring | Summer | |
LARC 3365 Landscape Architecture Design VI: Engaging Communities; Understanding Culture | 5 | ||
LARC 3381 Advocacy and Theory Module: Engaging Communities; Understanding Culture | 1 | ||
LARC 3734 Sustainable Design and Construction: Material and Methods of Assembly | 4 | ||
LARC 3914 Sustainable Design and Construction: Remediation and Plants on Structure | 4 | ||
LARC 3123 Advanced Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | 3 | ||
LARC 3375 Landscape Architecture Design VII: Collaborating with Communities | 5 | ||
LARC 3391 Advocacy and Theory Module: Collaborating with Communities | 1 | ||
Professional Elective (FJAD 3153H for Honors Students) | 3 | ||
Social Sciences State Minimum Core Requirement (Satisfies General Education Outcome 3.3)1 | 6 | ||
History or Government State Minimum Core Requirement (Satisfies General Education Outcome 4.2) | 3 | ||
LARC 4811 Landscape Architecture Interns | 1 | ||
Year Total: | 17 | 18 | 1 |
Fourth Year | Units | ||
Fall | Spring | Summer | |
LARC 4385 Landscape Architecture Design VIII: Capstone (Satisfies General Education Outcome 4.2) | 5 | ||
LARC 4311 Advocacy and Theory Module: Capstone | 1 | ||
LARC 5613 Landscape Architectural Professional Practice (Satisfies General Education Outcome 5.1) | 3 | ||
Professional Elective | 3 | ||
Free Elective | 3 | ||
LARC 4395 Landscape Architecture Design IX: Comprehensive (Satisfies General Education Outcome 6.1) | 5 | ||
LARC 4321 Advocacy and Theory Module: Comprehensive | 1 | ||
Professional Elective (FJAD 3153H for Honors Students) | 3 | ||
Humanities State Minimum Core Requirement (Satisfies General Education Outcome 3.2)2 | 3 | ||
Fine Arts State Minimum Core Requirement (Satisfies General Education Outcome 3.1)3 | 3 | ||
Year Total: | 15 | 15 | |
Total Units in Sequence: | 142 |
- 1
The Social Sciences Elective courses which satisfy General Education Outcome 3.3 include: AGEC 1103, AGEC 2103, ANTH 1023, COMM 1023, ECON 2013, ECON 2023, ECON 2143, EDST 2003, HDFS 1403, HDFS 2413, HDFS 2603, HIST 1113, HIST 1113H, HIST 1123, HIST 1123H, HIST 2003,HIST 2013, HIST 2093, HUMN 1114H, HUMN 2114H, INST 2813, INST 2813H, PLSC 2003, PLSC 2013, PLSC 2203, PLSC 2813, PLSC 2813H, PSYC 2003, RESM 2853, SOCI 2013, SOCI 2013H, or SOCI 2033.
- 2
The Humanities Elective courses which satisfy General Education Outcome 3.2 include: AAST 2023, ANTH 1033, ARCH 1013, CLST 1003, CLST 1003H, CLST 1013, COMM 1233, DANC 1003, ENGL 1213, GNST 2003, HIST 1113, HIST 1113H, HIST 1123, HIST 1123H, HIST 2003, HIST 2013, HUMN 1124H, HUMN 2213, LALS 2013, MRST 2013, MUSY 2003, MUSY 2003H, PHIL 2003, PHIL 2003C, PHIL 2003H, PHIL 2103, PHIL 2103C, PHIL 2303, THTR 1003, THTR 1013, THTR 1013H, WLIT 1113, WLIT 1123, or intermediate-level world language (usually 2003-level).
- 3
The Fine Arts Elective courses which satisfy General Education Outcome 3.1 include: ARCH 1003, ARHS 1003, COMM 1003, DANC 1003, LARC 1003, MLIT 1003, MLIT 1003H, MLIT 1013, MLIT 1013H, MLIT 1333, THTR 1003, THTR 1013, or THTR 1013H.
Minor in Design With Plants for Architecture Majors
The Department of Landscape Architecture offers and oversees a minor in Design With Plantss for students interested in significant world issues in landscape design, climate change, management, and sustainability. The Design with Plants Minor combines plant-centered coursework with several design-oriented courses within the Landscape Architecture Department. This minor is tailored for those students desiring a more in-depth study of plants, plant communities, soils, aesthetic and architectural uses of plants, and design and deployment strategies related to them.
What can I do with this minor?
Students pursuing this minor will be well-suited for engaging with landscape design professionals and other allied professionals pursuing productive, locally sensitive, sustainable, and resilient planting schemes. Two courses provide students with core skills in designing with plants: ‘Sustainable Design and Construction: Plant Communities’ and ‘Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications.’ Issues and topics addressed include:
Foundation topics in plants and cultivation
- Concepts relating to plants, their associations, and communities, and how to utilize those concepts as design frameworks
- Fundamentals of soils, soil structure and composition, soil health and ecosystems, and strategies for their protection
- Studying productive plant communities (food crops) to understand them as a community and as a design opportunity
- Questions of sustainability regarding plants and planting
- Fundamental design methods and means of graphic representation to communicate ideas and proposals
Required Courses
LARC 2914 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Plant Communities | 4 |
HORT 2003 | Principles of Horticulture | 3 |
Choose 9-10 hours from the following: | 9-10 | |
Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | ||
or LARC 3914 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Remediation and Plants on Structure | |
or CSES 2203 | Soil Science | |
or HORT 3303 | Vegetable Crops | |
or HORT 3113 | Herbaceous and Indoor Plant Materials | |
or HORT 3503 | Sustainable and Organic Horticulture | |
A student must take a minimum of 6 hours in the 3000 and 4000 level courses to satisfy requirements for the minor. | ||
Total Hours | 16-17 |
Requirements for Urban and Regional Planning Minor
A student who is interested in the Urban and Regional Planning minor should notify either the Departments of Landscape Architecture or Political Science and consult with their academic advisor. The minor consists of 18 hours of required and elective courses and subdivided into three tiers: core courses, tier-one electives and tier-two electives. The minor’s required and elective courses include:
Required Core Courses: | ||
PLSC 4103 | Introduction to Urban Planning | 3 |
LARC 5493 | Environmental Land Use Planning | 3 |
Tier-One Electives | 6-12 | |
Select 6-12 hours from the following: | ||
LARC-approved design studio focused on planning (may only count once) | ||
LARC Advocacy Module focused on planning | ||
Anthropology of the City | ||
Community Development | ||
Special Topics | ||
Environmental Sociology | ||
Urban Geography | ||
Urban Politics | ||
Incremental Sprawl Repair | ||
Special Studies | ||
Urban Sociology | ||
Tier-Two Electives (up to six hours of electives may come from the following options) | 0-6 | |
Landscape Architecture Theory | ||
Sustaining Earth | ||
American Public Lands & Policy | ||
Environmental Justice | ||
Historic Landscape Preservation | ||
Cultural Resource Management I | ||
ANTH 4603 | ||
Ecosystems Assessment | ||
Ecosystems Assessment Laboratory | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Principles of Environmental Economics | ||
Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations | ||
History of Urban Form | ||
DELIVER: Transportation and Distribution Management | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Minor in Planting Design (for Horticulture majors)
17 Hours Total Required
Required Courses | ||
LARC 2113 | Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | 3 |
LARC 2714 | Ecological Design and Construction: Terrain | 4 |
LARC 3914 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Remediation and Plants on Structure | 4 |
Electives | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Basic Course in the Arts: The American Landscape | ||
Advanced Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | ||
Special Projects | ||
History of Landscape Architecture I | ||
Ecological Design and Construction: Water and Drainage | ||
History of Landscape Architecture II | ||
Professional Landscape Management | ||
Practical Landscape Planning | ||
Total Hours | 17 |
Minor in Sustainable Landscape Design and Management
The Department of Landscape Architecture offers and oversees a minor in Sustainable Landscape Design and Management. The minor is available to any student pursuing a major within the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.
This minor in Sustainable Landscape Design and Management combines coursework in the foundations of sustainability, sustainable landscape practices, horticulture, landscape management, operations, and installation.
Responsible landscape professionals increasingly incorporate sustainability into their design, maintenance, and management philosophies. This minor will allow students to incorporate principles of sustainable landscape design and management into the built world, from large-scale landscapes to site-specific spaces. Sustainable landscape management ensures that the landscape needs of today are met without compromising those of future generations by giving equal attention to social, natural, built, and managed systems. Issues addressed include:
- Basic understanding of sustainability at the local to global scale.
- Sustainable landscape practices lessening maintenance time and costs.
- Ecological principles of site design and construction grading (ground plane manipulation).
- Proper plant selection with preference to native and/or organically grown plants that require minimal supplemental nutrients and water, attracting wildlife and pollinators, and are healthier for human use.
- Appropriate pruning to minimize waste, reduce costs and maximize the plant’s benefits.
- Sustainable planting design and maintenance to maintain local character and identity.
- Sustainable landscape practices that help to maintain local jobs and businesses.
- Identifying locally sourced materials to minimize transportation costs and resource consumption.
Required Courses
LARC 2714 | Ecological Design and Construction: Terrain | 4 |
Choose 3 hours from: | 3 | |
Principles of Horticulture | ||
or HORT 3503 | Sustainable and Organic Horticulture | |
or SUST 1103 | Foundations of Sustainability | |
Choose 9-10 hours from the following: | 9-10 | |
Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications | ||
or LARC 3734 | Sustainable Design and Construction: Material and Methods of Assembly | |
or HORT 3103 | Woody Landscape Plants | |
or HORT 3203 | ||
or HORT 3503 | Sustainable and Organic Horticulture | |
or HORT 4033 | Professional Landscape Installation and Construction | |
or SUST 1103 | Foundations of Sustainability | |
A student must take a minimum of 6 hours in the 3000 and 4000 level courses to satisfy requirements for the minor. | ||
Total Hours | 16-17 |
Professional Licensure Degree Requirement
The School’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program is accredited by LAAB, which requires that specific criteria be met in a professional program. This five-year professional program gives its graduates the required prerequisite degree to qualify to take the licensing exam and prepares them for practice.
All fifty states require licensure for landscape architects. The primary purpose of this licensure is to “protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.” Most states require that candidates possess an accredited degree in landscape architecture and complete a period of professional experience, working with a licensed landscape architect. Once these requirements are complete, candidates must pass a national, uniform exam, sometimes with additional sections unique to that state.
Faculty
Biehle, Scott, M.L.A. (University of Texas at Austin), B.A. (St. Olaf College), Teaching Associate Professor, 2012, 2023.
Billig, Noah Scott, Ph.D. (Clemson University), M.Ur.P., M.L.A., B.A. (University of Minnesota), Associate Professor, 2011, 2018.
Coffman, James D., M.L.Arch. (Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana), B.S.B. (Indiana University-Bloomington), Assistant Professor, 2017.
Díaz Montemayor, Gabriel, M.L.A. (Auburn University), B.Arch. (Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua), Assistant Professor, 2019.
Erdman, Kimball Douglas, M.L.A. (University of Oregon), B.L.A. (Utah State University), Professor, 2009, 2023.
McCown, Ken, M.Arch. (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign), Professor, 2019.
Smith, Carl Alan, Ph.D., M.A. (University of Sheffield), B.Sc. (University of Lancaster), Associate Professor, 2008, 2013.
Courses
LARC 1003. Basic Course in the Arts: The American Landscape. 3 Hours.
Mankind's changing attitudes toward urban and rural outdoor spaces and their aesthetic and cultural values. The origins of the environmental/conservation movement and the development of an American land ethic. Appreciation of the relationship of the natural and historic landscape to the arts and the aesthetic importance of open space. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)
LARC 1003H. Honors Basic Course in the Arts: The American Landscape. 3 Hours.
Mankind's changing attitudes toward urban and rural outdoor spaces and their aesthetic and cultural values. The origins of the environmental/conservation movement and the development of an American land ethic. Appreciation of the relationship of the natural and historic landscape to the arts and the aesthetic importance of open space. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)
This course is equivalent to LARC 1003.
LARC 1315. Fundamental Design Skills. 5 Hours.
Fundamental design skills; development of visual and verbal communication skills including observation skills, design technologies, analysis and representation in both 2-dimensions and 3-dimensions through analog and digital tools; creative and critical thinking skills. (Typically offered: Fall and Summer)
LARC 1325. Fundamental Design Methodology. 5 Hours.
Fundamental design skills; use of precedents for understanding principles of design and natural and formal ordering systems; design development using both iterative and alternative methods of exploration in 2-dimensions and 3-dimensions using analog and digital tools; continued development of visual and verbal communication skills. Prerequisite: LARC 1315. (Typically offered: Spring and Summer)
LARC 2113. Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications. 3 Hours.
Investigation and application of foundational, current and innovative techniques and technologies used in landscape architecture. Field work and other modes of inquiry and seeing are used to study sites. Processes and workflow are learned. Students learn inquiry through technologies, site context investigation, and how to communicate to stakeholders. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 2113H. Honors Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications. 3 Hours.
Investigation and application of foundational, current and innovative techniques and technologies used in landscape architecture. Field work and other modes of inquiry and seeing are used to study sites. Processes and workflow are learned. Students learn inquiry through technologies, site context investigation, and how to communicate to stakeholders. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is equivalent to LARC 2113.
LARC 2335. Landscape Architecture Design III: Engaging Site, Engaging Place. 5 Hours.
Fundamentals of site inventory, analysis, and assessment. Through measurement, observation, and documentation, students engage with the design of local and regional sites, synthesizing place- based inventorial understanding and experiential response. Students gain an appreciation for both quantifiable and qualitative measurement and observation as creative tools for design development. Corequisite: LARC 2351. Prerequisite: LARC 1325. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 2345. Landscape Architecture IV: Collaborating with Site. 5 Hours.
Students consider an increased complexity of landscape issues and multi-purpose design strategies within a local or regional context, while simultaneously responding to external programmatic requirements. Instructor-guided design projects reinforce the value of site exploration and enumeration. The design process is enriched through programmatic and service requirements, stakeholder collaboration, and reflection on design implication. Corequisite: LARC 2351. Prerequisite: LARC 2335. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 2345H. Honors Landscape Architecture IV: Collaborating with Site. 5 Hours.
Students consider an increased complexity of landscape issues and multi-purpose design strategies within a local or regional context, while simultaneously responding to external programmatic requirements. Instructor-guided design projects reinforce the value of site exploration and enumeration. The design process is enriched through programmatic and service requirements, stakeholder collaboration, and reflection on design implication. Corequisite: LARC 2351. Prerequisite: LARC 2335 and Honors candidacy. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is equivalent to LARC 2345.
LARC 2351. Advocacy and Theory Module: Engaging Site, Engaging Place. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 2335. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 2361. Advocacy and Theory Module: Collaborating with Site. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 2345. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 2371. Advocacy and Theory Module: International Urban Place. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 3355. (Typically offered: Summer)
LARC 2714. Ecological Design and Construction: Terrain. 4 Hours.
Introduces students to fundamental principles of reading and understanding geomorphology, site systems, and site design. Design tools include grading techniques, earthwork computations, and site-related documentation of natural and built structures. Site-related principles of sustainability are introduced as a framework for solving contemporary site issues. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 2714H. Honors Ecological Design and Construction: Terrain. 4 Hours.
Introduces students to fundamental principles of reading and understanding geomorphology, site systems, and site design. Design tools include grading techniques, earthwork computations, and site-related documentation of natural and built structures. Site-related principles of sustainability are introduced as a framework for solving contemporary site issues. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is equivalent to LARC 2714.
LARC 2914. Sustainable Design and Construction: Plant Communities. 4 Hours.
Introduces plants as components of healthy ecosystems, to innovative and sustainable plants and planting strategies as design frameworks, and to planting as powerful design tool. Soils as building block of healthy designs, foundation identification of woody plants and plant taxonomy, and fundamental concepts of time--ephemerality, phenology, and phenomenology. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 303V. Special Projects. 1-6 Hour.
Design implementation, study, practicum, and preparation of working drawings. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.
LARC 303VH. Honors Special Projects. 1-6 Hour.
Design implementation, study, practicum, and preparation of working drawings. Prerequisite: Honors candidacy. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is equivalent to LARC 303V.
LARC 3123. Advanced Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications. 3 Hours.
Students learn the applications of current communication techniques and technologies in landscape architecture to discover implications through inquiry. Field work and other modes of investigation and seeing are used around urbanization and large scale landscapes in design inquiry. Students learn how to communicate the implications of design to broad stakeholders. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 3123H. Honors Advanced Design Visualization, Inquiry and Communications. 3 Hours.
Students learn the applications of current communication techniques and technologies in landscape architecture to discover implications through inquiry. Field work and other modes of investigation and seeing are used around urbanization and large scale landscapes in design inquiry. Students learn how to communicate the implications of design to broad stakeholders. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is equivalent to LARC 3123.
LARC 3355. Landscape Architecture Design V: International Urban Place. 5 Hours.
Investigation of social behavior as applied to program and design that serves human needs. Projects reflect increased scope, scale, and resolution with a detailed design component. Studio and lecture. Corequisite: LARC 2371. Prerequisite: LARC 2345. (Typically offered: Summer)
LARC 3365. Landscape Architecture Design VI: Engaging Communities; Understanding Culture. 5 Hours.
Students engage in design projects working for and/or with a particular population, including forming partnerships with a variety of stakeholders. The studio emphasizes empathy and understanding of competing value systems. Students apply a new cultural understanding to design projects. Corequisite: LARC 3381. Prerequisite: LARC 3355. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 3375. Landscape Architecture Design VII: Collaborating with Communities. 5 Hours.
Investigation and application of an issues-based, service-learning, community design project, focusing on resiliency and forming partnerships with a variety of stakeholders. Students engage in design as a means for influencing and negotiating on behalf of a community partner. Corequisite: LARC 3391. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 3381. Advocacy and Theory Module: Engaging Communities; Understanding Culture. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 3365. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 3391. Advocacy and Theory Module: Collaborating with Communities. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 3375. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 3413. History of Landscape Architecture I. 3 Hours.
Analysis of the interaction between landscapes and human cultural development as reflected in the meaning, organization, and impact of design and planning at garden and community scales from the Neolithic period through the eighteen century. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 3413H. Honors History of Landscape Architecture I. 3 Hours.
Analysis of the interaction between landscapes and human cultural development as reflected in the meaning, organization, and impact of design and planning at garden and community scales from the Neolithic period through the eighteenth century. Prerequisite: Honors candidacy. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is equivalent to LARC 3413.
LARC 3724. Ecological Design and Construction: Water and Drainage. 4 Hours.
Introduces water-related issues as encountered and addressed by landscape architects. Students will understand, apply, and design infrastructure such as retention/detention ponds, bioswales, and constructed wetlands. Technical documentation methods as a means of conveying design intent are included. Prerequisite: LARC 2714. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 3734. Sustainable Design and Construction: Material and Methods of Assembly. 4 Hours.
Introduces students to issues in material selection including properties, construction techniques, practical considerations in material use and subsequent implications and effects on the built environment. Material use and human experience are also explored. Technical documentation methods as a means of conveying design intent are included. Prerequisite: LARC 3724. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 3914. Sustainable Design and Construction: Remediation and Plants on Structure. 4 Hours.
Introduces particular strategies and techniques of plant use in the built environment. Potential topics include green infrastructure, site, soil, and water remediation techniques, and structural considerations of planting on structure. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 402V. Special Studies. 1-6 Hour.
Individual or group study and practicum involving landscape design, planning and management, history and environmental analysis. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.
LARC 402VH. Honors Special Studies. 1-6 Hour.
Individual or group study and practicum involving landscape design, planning and management, history and environmental analysis. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.
This course is equivalent to LARC 402V.
LARC 4033. Landscape Architecture Theory. 3 Hours.
Examination of historic and current theories in landscape architecture and planning to develop critical judgement. Seminar format includes readings and case studies in issues such as social and environmental justice. Prerequisite: LARC 3413 and LARC 4413 or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Summer)
LARC 4033H. Honors Landscape Architecture Theory. 3 Hours.
Examination of historic and current theories in landscape architecture and planning to develop critical judgement. Seminar format includes readings and case studies in issues such as social and environmental justice. Prerequisite: LARC 3413 and LARC 4413 or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is equivalent to LARC 4033.
LARC 4123. Urban Form Studies. 3 Hours.
The examination of urban, village, and suburban form and its influencing forces. Includes study of cultural forces, technological developments, and physical shape, scale, and materials that define urban areas. Required field trip component of study abroad. Prerequisite: LARC 3413. (Typically offered: Summer)
LARC 4311. Advocacy and Theory Module: Capstone. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 4385. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 4321. Advocacy and Theory Module: Comprehensive. 1 Hour.
Students explore theories and history and their implementation to increase understanding of concurrent design studio topics. Students develop advocacy capacities through communication, collaboration and skills through workshops, readings, stakeholder engagement and discussions. Students form rationales for design and personal disposition, while gaining knowledge to advocate for the profession and discipline. Corequisite: LARC 4395. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 4385. Landscape Architecture Design VIII: Capstone. 5 Hours.
Topic based, service learning studio that blends faculty research interests with student initiative and the potential for collaboration. This studio builds on the broad foundation of previous coursework while developing a design specialization through which students can advocate for both the profession and the communities they serve. Corequisite: LARC 4311. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 4395. Landscape Architecture Design IX: Comprehensive. 5 Hours.
Summative studio that requires the student to demonstrate landscape architectural design competency through a multiscalar approach that utilizes various resolutions to address critical, multidimensional problems. Corequisite: LARC 4321. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 4413. History of Landscape Architecture II. 3 Hours.
Critical study and analysis of landscape architecture from nineteenth century to the present, with an emphasis on the philosophies, design and planning theories, and social conditions that have influenced the form of gardens, parks, and cities. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 4413H. Honors History of Landscape Architecture II. 3 Hours.
Critical study and analysis of landscape architecture from nineteenth century to the present, with an emphasis on the philosophies, design and planning theories, and social conditions that have influenced the form of gardens, parks, and cities. Prerequisite: Honors candidacy. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is equivalent to LARC 4413.
LARC 4523H. Landscape Architecture Honors Thesis. 3 Hours.
Development and production of an honors thesis proposal and thesis. Required for all landscape architecture honors students. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular)
LARC 4753. Incremental Sprawl Repair. 3 Hours.
Exploration of the causes, manifestation and results of suburban sprawl on the built environment. Design and planning strategies linked to landscape, urbanism, policy, transportation, resource-conservation, ecology, and social structures are proposed. Emphasis is placed on combining traditional and cutting edge methods for repairing sprawled cities and regions. Prerequisite: 4th or 5th year student or instructor approval. (Typically offered: Irregular)
LARC 4753H. Honors Incremental Sprawl Repair. 3 Hours.
Exploration of the causes, manifestation and results of suburban sprawl on the built environment. Design and planning strategies linked to landscape, urbanism, policy, transportation, resource-conservation, ecology, and social structures are proposed. Emphasis is placed on combining traditional and cutting edge methods for repairing sprawled cities and regions. Prerequisite: 4th or 5th year student or instructor approval. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is equivalent to LARC 4753.
LARC 4811. Landscape Architecture Interns. 1 Hour.
Supervised work experience that may include a combination of design, planning, operations, and management procedures in approved design, design/build, government, or non-profit organization. Exposure to a wide range of job tasks and project types. Summative outcomes include a reflection essay and a portfolio of internship work. Prerequisite: LARC 3375 and LARC 3914. (Typically offered: Summer)
LARC 4853. Latin American Landscapes. 3 Hours.
This course studies the shaping of urban Latin American Landscapes by investigating, problematizing, and analyzing their diverse social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions as reflected in the built realm. The main scope of study is the conception, origins, meaning, function, and performance of public spaces and landscapes in the continent. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with LALS 4853.
LARC 5053. Historic Landscape Preservation. 3 Hours.
Survey of historic preservation as a profession and the emerging cultural landscape preservation movement. Introduction to preservation principles as described by the Secretary of the Interiors Standards and Guidelines. Analysis of case studies will reinforce basic philosophies and introduce preservation approaches. Prerequisite: LARC 3413 and LARC 4413. (Typically offered: Irregular)
LARC 5493. Environmental Land Use Planning. 3 Hours.
Investigation of the relationship between development, stewardship and land use on the city and regional scales. Natural resource systems, public policies, regional economics, and social contexts are investigated as informers of environmental planning and design decisions. Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor approval. (Typically offered: Spring)
LARC 5493H. Honors Environmental Land Use Planning. 3 Hours.
Investigation of the relationship between development, stewardship and land use on the city and regional scales. Natural resource systems, public policies, regional economics, and social contexts are investigated as informers of environmental planning and design decisions. Prerequisite: Junior and honors standing, or instructor approval. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is equivalent to LARC 5493.
LARC 5613. Landscape Architectural Professional Practice. 3 Hours.
Review of professional and disciplinary responsibilities and related aspects (including health, safety, and welfare issues) of private, public and non-profit landscape architectural practice. (Typically offered: Fall)
LARC 5613H. Honors Landscape Architectural Professional Practice. 3 Hours.
Review of professional and disciplinary responsibilities and related aspects (including health, safety, and welfare issues) of private, public and non-profit landscape architectural practice. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is equivalent to LARC 5613.