Course Description
An introduction to research strategies for environmental planning and design. The process of writing a successful proposal for a thesis or practicum. An overview of the state of research in planning, tools and methods of research, as well as strategies to plan a research project.
Athena Title
Research Strategies
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Course Objectives
The course introduces students to a wide range of methods of inquiry (strategies) appropriate to the discipline. Introduces students to the strategies for conducting a successful research and to express this through a completed research proposal. Knowledge: Upon completion of this course, students with a passing evaluation will have demonstrated the following: - Understanding the difference between research activities and other design and planning actions; - Familiarity with a range of possible research strategies in environmental planning and design; - Awareness of the similarities and differences between types of research inquiry; - Capacity to write a proposal and plan a thesis or practicum project; - How a research strategy might be shaped. Skills: Upon completion of this course, students with a passing grade evaluation will know how to: - Identify the issues of current concern within their area of interest; - Define a focus for the thesis inquiry and develop their research question; - Develop and organize secondary questions and choose a research strategy that will answer their research question; - Choose a research methodology based on needs and constraints; - Use a reference manager database (Endnotes or an equivalent program) to compile a literature review. Values: Upon completion of this course, students with a passing evaluation will have demonstrated the following: - The importance of research to the creation of new knowledge for the discipline and profession. - An appreciation of the reciprocity between research and creativity in environmental planning and design. - The importance of good quality research and writing and related ethical issues.
Topical Outline
METHOD -Class lectures will introduce research strategies or strategies of inquiry commonly used in environmental design and planning, ethical issues in research, and issues to consider when reporting research results; -Class activities and discussion will concentrate on a review of a) research writing and proposal development, b) current published research, and c) other pertinent topics; -Out-of-class assignments will help students clarify the direction of their research topic for the thesis or practicum; -Student presentations will include a mid-term short presentation on research topic and methods, and a final presentation of thesis or practicum proposal, with the purpose of giving students the opportunity to expose and defend their ideas in public. READINGS Required Reading: - Demming, Elen and Simon Swaffield. 2011. Landscape Architecture Research: Inquiry, Strategy, Design John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NJ. - Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., & Williams, J.M. 2008. The craft of research: University of Chicago Press. Suggested additional reading material will be provided throughout the semester. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: The University of Georgia standard grading system of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory will be used to measure performance. Grades will be based on the following: - The quality and completeness of the thesis proposal. The appropriateness and completeness of the research methodology is a major factor in whether the proposal will be accepted; - Examination of the student’s understanding of research strategies; - Preparation for individual and class work. CLASS STANDARDS: Attendance: Attendance at every class meeting is very strongly encouraged. Active class participation is a required part of the student evaluation.
Syllabus
Public CV