Professional Practice

Catalog description

An investigation of current professional and business practices in the field of landscape architecture. For Landscape Architecture majors only. LARCH 386 Professional Practice (3) LARCH 386 has a three-part role. It comprises an introduction to the variety of practice opportunities in landscape architecture, their opportunities and drawbacks; it provides an introduction to critical office management practices; and it assists students in the employment application process through coaching on interview technique and guidance on the preparation of supporting material.It is the overarching intent of this course to help students understand what it will mean to be a professional practicing a constantly changing marketplace of ideas. Topics covered include ethics, public relations, office and project-related practices, personal and professional development, and legal aspects of practice: contracts, specifications, liability insurance. Through active participation in the course, students will come to realize the diversity inherent in the profession. Course objectives: - To introduce a range of practice types, including: small, private practice, large-scale corporate practice, federal and state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and other non-governmental organizations; - To discuss relations with other professionals, including the formation of teams and other strategic alliances, and negotiation of professional fees; - To outline and illustrate the various roles and responsibilities individuals might have both in and outside of an office, including situations of personal vs corporate responsibility; and - To investigate the inherent values or point of view of principals and others that effect how decisions are made and change occurs.