Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
AR50329 Survey and assessment |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: RT100 |
| Requisites: |
| While taking this unit you must take AR50331 |
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Aims: To equip students with the ability to read and analyse the historic landscape and its significance from reports, plans, and on-site surveys, and to produce or assess landscape reports prepared by others. Students learn to research, record, analyse, interpret and understand the significance of buildings and sites. They will develop a familiarity with the use of modern survey equipment and techniques and gain an understanding of the monitoring process and quality of archaeological projects and the principles and techniques of archaeological science through a combination of theoretical and practical experiences. The unit includes an introduction to research methods and dissertation writing in the first week which is subsequently followed up with regular seminar sessions throughout the semester.
Learning Outcomes: Students successfully completing this unit will be able to demonstrate: * The ability to research, record, analyse, interpret and understand the significance of buildings and sites. * A working knowledge of modern survey equipment and techniques and an understanding of the monitoring process and quality of archaeological projects and the principles and techniques of archaeological science. * A practical understanding of research methodologies and archives and the ability to apply techniques of research, analysis, recording and evaluation to primary source material. * To analyse, inspect, describe and make reports that are intelligible to specialist and non-specialist readers, on gardens, landscapes, sites, historic building fabric and artefacts, illustrated by graphics such as sketches and photographs. * To appreciate and understand the urban or landscape context of historic buildings and their contents, artefacts, ensembles and sites. * To demonstrate a practical and conceptual understanding that enables the student to make critical evaluations and prepare reports that are intelligible to specialist and non-specialist readers, on gardens, landscapes, sites, historic building fabric and artefacts illustrated by graphics such as sketches and photographs. * Practical applications will include conservation practice and engineering, management and social involvement, methodologies of data acquisition, topographical survey techniques, horticulture and planting. Students will be able to, * evaluate the significance of a site, including the processes which shaped it, measure its vulnerability, assess the impact of proposed change, and form a view of how decisions are made on what to keep, conserve, modify or lose. * assess appropriate management and conservation approaches and to write a coherent conservation and management plan. * To synthesise a comprehensive and critical review of the historic environment and to translate the conclusions and findings by authoring and producing written reports to a standard consistent with professional requirements. Also to be able to identify and diagnose intrinsic and extrinsic causes and formulate a basis for appropriate responses or action. * apply the taught skills, techniques and methods and to exercise initiative and demonstrate personal responsibility in carrying out projects. * consolidate, extend and apply knowledge gained in an appropriate and competent way. * operate within the appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment. * To use the ability to carry out or commission research, analysis and recording of the historic environment and to maintain records accordingly. * To document and communicate ideas effectively in writing and orally in a way appropriate and accessible to both professional and lay audiences. * work autonomously or in multi-disciplinary groups and with other professionals in related fields using sound methods to resolve conflicts and develop strategies appropriate to needs, abilities and resources, and to recognise when advice should be sought and define areas of need for study by different groups. Skills: Written communication, oral communication, data acquisition handling and analysis, topographical survey techniques, horticulture and planting, working independently - taught, facilitated and assessed. Content: Conservation planning, archaeology, interpretation, surveying, mapping, recording, skills in reading architectural plans, understanding topography and documentary research methods and registers. The latter includes the use of maps and plans, eighteenth-century field plans, tithe maps, estate plans, early maps and vignettes, planting plans, maps, sales particulars, photographs and aerial photography, gardeners' planting books, purchase records, garden magazines and garden books. |