Course Description
Introduces students to the range of practices and techniques used to conserve character-defining landscapes elements, including vegetation, biotic systems, soils, hydrology, roads and trails, terraces, retaining walls, and other built elements. The course involves a significant fieldwork component.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
All students are required to complete landscape materials
readings and associated practice exercises, as well as work in
teams for a final project. Graduate students will also be
required to lead a seminar reading discussion and craft a
major research paper advancing the body of knowledge on
landscape materials conservation within the guidelines for
Treatment of Historic Cultural Landscapes.
Athena Title
Landscape Materials Conserv
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Knowledge -Understand basic processes of material degradation in landscapes (e.g., erosion, weathering, corrosion, senescence of biotic elements, ecological succession). - Understand the range of common landscape materials and their specific conservation requirements. - Understand processes of materials conservation and their relative effectiveness and costs. - Understand techniques for materials conservation as they relate to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes. Skills - Ability to identify and prioritize critical materials conservation needs in a historic cultural landscape. - Ability to evaluate various materials conservation techniques and to identify appropriate treatments. - Ability to create materials conservation plans for various landscape features. Values - Appreciate the role of materials conservation in the cultural landscape planning and treatment process.
Topical Outline
- Overview of techniques for physical conservation of historic landscape features and materials. - Overview of material conservation problems in historic cultural landscapes. - Overview of biotic and ecological processes in landscapes. - Principles of ecosystem management and conservation of biotic cultural resources. - Soil conservation and techniques for erosion control. - Physical and chemical processes of weathering. - Types of masonry construction (e.g., walls, retaining walls, pavements), and conservation and maintenance techniques. - Types of roadway and pathway construction and techniques for conservation and maintenance. - Management and maintenance of infrastructure and utilities. - Common types of wood construction in the landscape and techniques for conservation and maintenance. - Conservation strategies for metal features. - Conservation of stone and concrete features. - Conservation of historic plant materials, including maintenance of historic trees. - Development of landscape maintenance plans.