Professional English I

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation11.03.2021

Responsible UnitLanguage Centre

Course developer

Diana Svika

Mg. paed.

Course abstract

The study course is aimed at the development of students’ foreign language (English) knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending, interpreting and evaluating professional information and scientific literature, explaining and comparing processes and phenomena, participating in discussions, giving presentations in professional and academic environment as well as for communication with foreign students, specialists and academic staff. The focus is on the terminology pertaining to Landscape architecture and planning. The English language proficiency level corresponds to at least level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for foreign languages

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding of terminology in the following fields: university education,
aspects of landscape architect’s profession, the concept, perception and types of landscape, landscape forming elements, landscape and garden art in ancient Egypt and Greece, preservation of landscape identity (Test.No 1);
Basic principles in landscape planning (balance, harmony, proportion,etc.); gardens, parks and plantings used there, Baroque and Renaissance gardens (Test No 2).
Skills:Students are able to define or explain terms, select professional and scientific information, think critically, explain processes and phenomena, participate in discussions, applying professional terminology, communication skills and academic language skills: in writing essays, summaries, business letters; orally in discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving presentations.
Competence of professional and academic English language in order to apply it creatively in spoken and written communication for student mobility, professional and academic activities in the international environment.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to professional English.2h
2. Dictionaries and glossaries used in landscape architecture and planning. 2h
3. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Studies at the Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering. 2h
4. Profession - landscape architect and the scope of work in this field. 2h
5. The concept of landscape. Perception of landscape. Types of landscape and its elements. 2h
6. Preservation of landscape identity. Latvian landscape. Summary. 2h
7. Architecture, landscape and garden art in ancient Egypt and Greece. 3h
8. Test 1. Terminology. 1h
9. World famous landscape architects and their projects. 2h
10. Basic principles in landscape planning. 2h
11. Achieving harmony, proportion, symmetry and asymmetry in landscape planning. The colour wheel. 2h
12. Parks and their functions. The choice of plants for plantings in gardens and parks.2h
13. Baroque and Renaissance gardens. A. Le Notre and his contribution to designing Baroque parks. 2h
14. Decorative elements in parks and gardens. The art of topiaries. 2h
15. Test 2. Terminology. 1h
16. Seminar: Individual presentations on famous landscape architects and their projects. Discussions. 3 h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Test (pass/fail).
It is made up of a cumulative assessment.
Successfully written 2 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, presentation on a selected topic, the glossary of terms, summary). Tests and home works shall have a positive evaluation. The number of missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Individual work:
1. Reading of independently chosen professional texts (the amount: 10 000 characters);
2. Prepared PPoint presentation and oral presentation (8-10 minutes) at the end of the semester;
3. Submitted glossary of terms (30 terms - translations, 20 – definitions/explanations).
4. Students are able to prepare and present a summary of the chosen text, compare facts, express ideas, make conclusions and answer the questions.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The cumulative assessment (pass/fail) is composed of the grades in tests, home assignments, assessment during classes and a presentation of the individual work. The grade in tests is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1. Underwood S., Dooley J. Career Paths: Landscaping.Express Publishing, 2017, 39 p. ISBN: 978-1-4715-6057-6
2. Dines N.T., Brown K.D. Landscape Architect’s Portable Handbook. New York: Mc Graw Hill, 2001, 443 p.
3. Egyptian Gardens [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 10.03.2021). Pieejams:
http://www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/garden_landscape_design_articles/west_asia/egyptian_gardens

Periodicals and other sources

1. Landscape architecture and art. Proceedings of the Latvia University of Agriculture. Vol.2., No.2., Jelgava, 2013, 91 p. ISSN 2255- 8632 print, ISSN 2255-8640 online
2. Landscape Architecture Magazine. ISSN: 0023-8031. [tiešsaiste] (skatīts 10.03.2021]. Pieejams: https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/category/asla/

Notes

The course has been included in the compulsory part of the professional Bachelor’s degree programme “Landscape Architecture and Planning” of the Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering

Atsauksmes