New PhD course: Criticality in Research/Criticality as Praxis

The course aims to strengthen awareness of the variety of critical theory and practice models available to academic and professional actors in the landscape field. Setting a landscape focus guarantees a shared arena for the coursework, making it easier to recognize how diverse knowledge-creation practices (including but not limited to design) generate understanding and contribute to the evolution of landscape-relevant discourse and action.
The course is suitable for researchers from all disciplines concerned with the constructed urban landscape (design, planning, environmental science, sustainability studies, landscape architecture, urban history, heritage, ecology, architecture, etc.). It offers students these learning outcomes: how to develop an understanding of the concept of “criticality” through reading and group discussion of theoretical literature; how to critically reflect on their own working research praxis and assess how it shapes their capacity to forward critical positions in their work; how to engage in guided peer feedback to constructively comment upon and refine research aims; how to articulate, elaborate and integrate critical thinking in their PhD related research practice; how to use rhetorical and critical précis tools to support quality research."