Professional English II

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.

Prior knowledge

ValoP303, Professional English I

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:
sustainable landscape, the impact of climate change on the environment, soil and its role in landscape formation, revitalization of brownfields, prevention of landscape degradation, legislation on landscape preservation and management (Test No 1);
terraces, roof gardens, rock gardens, gardens and parks of England and Japan, gardens and parks of Riga and Latvia’s manor houses (Test No 2);
children's playgrounds, memorial parks, cemeteries, innovative landscape planning projects (Test No.3).
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: business letters, essays, and summaries; orally: in discussions, dialogues, role plays and 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.The assessment is according to the 10 point scale.

Students are able to apply professional terminology and communicative skills in: writing - essays, annotations, orally - discussions, dialogues, role plays, giving a presentation.
The assessment according to the 10 point scale.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Sustainable landscape. The impact of climate change on the environment. 2h
2. Soil and its role in landscape formation. Degraded landscapes (brownfields)and their revitalization.4h
3. Legislation on landscape protection and management.2h
4. Test 1 on terminology.1h
5. Terrain forming elements. Terraces, roof gardens and rock gardens. 2h
6. Tradtions of garden and park art in England. Japanese gardens. 2h
7. The history of Riga’s parks and gardens. Plant selection for plantings. 2h
8. G.Kuphaldt’s and A. Zeidak’s contribution to designing Riga’s parks and gardens. 2h
9. Parks and gardens of Latvia’s manor houses. 2h
10. Test 2 on terminology. 1h
11. Designing children’s playgrounds. Safety considerations in designing playgrounds. 2h
12. Memorial parks. Cemeteries. 2h
13. Innovative urban landscape projects. Vertical landscape planning. Ecological architecture. 2h
14. Innovative projects of Latvian landscape architects.2h
15. Test 3 on terminology. 1h
16. Seminar:Presenting individual presentations pertaining to landscape architecture,Discussion.3h.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: Examination.
The examination consists of:
a terminology test,
a presentation.
A student is admitted to the examination if there are: successfully written 2 tests, the glossary of terms for each topic, timely completed home works, completed individual work (reading of professional texts, the prepared PPoint presentation on the selected topic, the glossary of terms). Tests and home works are with a positive evaluation. The number of the missed classes shall not exceed 20%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

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

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The examination grade is calculated as an arithmetic mean of grades obtained in the examination tasks and grades obtained during the two semesters of the study course. The grade in the terminology test is successful if at least 70% of the answers are correct.

Compulsory reading

1. Evans V., Dooley J., Blum E. Career Paths Environment Science. Express Publishing. 2016, 42 p..ISBN 978-1- 78098-669-2
2. Designing our Future: Sustainable Landscapes [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 10.03.2021]. Pieejams: https://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/videos.html
3. Thompson J.W, Sorvig K. Sustainable Landscape Construction. A Guide to Green Building Outdoors. Washington DC: Island Press, 2008. 155 p. ISBN: 978-59726-1425l

Periodicals and other sources

1. Underwood S., Dooley J. Career Paths: Landscaping.Express Publishing, 2017, 39 p. ISBN: 978-1-4715-6057-6
2. Landscape Research Journal [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 10.03.2021]. Pieejams: http://www.landscaperesearch.org/ ISSN: 0142-6397 Landscape Research. Published by Taylor and Francis Group. ISSN (printed): 0142-6397. ISSN (electronic): 1469-9710. Pieejams: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/clar20/current

Notes

The study 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