Academic Catalog

HORT 90G: LANDSCAPE DESIGN FORUM

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 1
Hours: 12 lecture per quarter (12 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate residential landscape designs.
  • Exhibit an understanding of advanced topics in landscape design.

Description

Design topics for residential landscapes. Covers current concepts and trends in the landscape design industry through topical presentations, guest speakers, and discussion groups. Explores methods for evaluating successful landscape designs and their implementation.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Identify trends in landscape design.
  2. Evaluate landscape designs.
  3. Evaluate landscape installations.
  4. Identify current topics in the landscape design field.
  5. Describe organizations which support the landscape design industry.

Course Content

  1. Trends in the landscape design industry
    1. New design methodologies
    2. Landscape sustainability
    3. Landscape construction innovations
  2. Evaluating landscape designs
    1. Use design principles to assess designs
    2. Successful use of landscape design components
    3. Functionality of space and design elements
  3. Evaluating landscape installations
    1. Use of materials
    2. Installation methods
    3. Longevity of installations
  4. Current topics pertinent to the landscape design industry
    1. Computer aided design
    2. Landscape sustainability and energy flows
    3. Recycled materials
    4. Intelligent use of water resources
    5. Lighting
    6. Garden elements
  5. Professional organizations and trades serving the landscape design industry
    1. Association of Professional Landscape Designers
    2. American Society of Landscape Architects
    3. California Landscape Contractors Association
    4. Nursery industry professional organizations

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Design classroom with multimedia projection system.
2. When taught as virtual, on-going access to computer with email and internet access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Development of an evaluation system for landscape designs
Evaluation of a landscape design or installation
Speaker assessment

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Demonstrations
Discussions

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

DK Books. Encyclopedia of Landscape Design: Planning, Building, and Planting Your Perfect Outdoor Space. 2023.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading assignments include reading approximately 30 pages per week from the assigned text (two hours).
  2. Reading two articles per class from professional design journals.

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture