Dutch Landscape: Theory, Method and Critical Thinking

The course addresses the structures, layers, and components of the Dutch landscape and combines the following knowledge fields: historical-geography, polder history, water management, morphology, landscape ecology (e.g., gradients, plant geography), environmental philosophy (visions to landscape and nature) and social geography. Different analytical techniques: cartography, photography, layer analysis, narratives, etc. will be used to reveal and represent the identity - which is: landscape forming processes and their topographic appearance - of a specific landscape. You learn how to critically evaluate your insights into the different aspects of landscapes in a descriptive well-illustrated document that takes the shape of a landscape biography. You need to elaborate on the outcome of the analyses as input for future transformations.