The diversity of cultural landscapes, the theory and
philosophical approaches to conservation, and the laws,
policies, standards, and programs that exist to identify and
assess their significance, with emphasis on the procedures
employed by the United States, Department of the Interior, and
UNESCO. The course provides a theoretical base for
understanding and appreciating the interaction between nature
and human culture in landscapes, as well as foundational
knowledge for further study of issues related to landscape
conservation and stewardship.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: In addition to the required assignments of both the
undergraduate and graduate students, graduate students will
each lead one or more seminar discussions on pre-defined
landscape conservation topics throughout the semester. Further,
the graduate students will conduct detailed research and write
a final research paper on a landscape conservation issue of
their choice highlighting the environmental, economic, and
social factors involved, the breadth of possible resolutions,
and citing at least two case studies that support their
conclusions.
Athena Title
Intro Cultural Landscapes
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
HIPR 2000 or HIPR 4000/6000 or HIPR 4030/6030 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will attain knowledge to understand the diversity of cultural landscapes and the range of techniques that may be employed to identify, describe, and assess these landscapes.
Students will attain knowledge to understand historical and current theory and practice of historic preservation and environmental conservation.
Students will attain knowledge to understand U.S. federal laws and guidelines relative to historic cultural landscapes.
Students will attain knowledge to understand the concepts of historical significance, historical integrity, and reference ecosystem as they apply to cultural landscapes.
Students will attain knowledge to understand various frameworks for identifying and assessing cultural landscapes, including those employed by UNESCO and the U.S. National Park Service.
Students will attain knowledge to understand the process and sources for cultural landscape research and documentation.
Students will attain skills regarding the ability to define and describe the character-defining features of a cultural landscape.
Students will attain skills regarding the ability to define an appropriate research methodology for documenting the historic and existing condition of a cultural landscape.
Students will attain skills regarding the ability to evaluate the historical significance and historical integrity of a cultural landscape.
Students will gain values to appreciate the diversity of cultural landscapes that exist in the world.
Students will gain values to appreciate the complex dynamics of non-human nature and human culture that comprise cultural landscapes.
Students will gain values to appreciate the ethical dilemmas and practical challenges involved in cultural landscape conservation and stewardship.
Topical Outline
Introduction to the cultural landscapes and the field of cultural landscape studies (Sauer; Jackson, et al)
The federal-level framework for identifying and evaluating historic cultural landscapes in the U.S. ICOMOS, UNESCO, and international/alternate frameworks for identifying and evaluating cultural landscapes
Methods and sources for researching the history of cultural landscapes (e.g., archival, oral history, historical ecology)
Applying the U.S. National Register of Historic Places criteria to historic cultural landscapes
Approaches to heritage conservation (scrape/anti-scrape)
Approaches to ecological conservation (e.g., restoration, novel ecosystems)
Overview of landscape types/case studies (e.g., designed landscapes, rural vernacular, urban vernacular, ethnographic, heritage area/corridor)
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
