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Historic Preservation Home > Syllabi > 400 Level Courses > HISP 469 Laboratory in Preservation Planning

University of Mary Washington
Department of Historic Preservation

LABORATORY IN PRESERVATION PLANNING
http://planninglab2008.wordpress.com/
HISP 469
M. Megan McDonald
W 2:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Combs Hall #25

Description
Historic Preservation 469, Laboratory in Preservation Planning, expands upon the methods and information learned in HISP 405 by providing students with practical experience in preservation planning. Working alone and in teams, students will conduct research and fieldwork needed to assist Spotsylvania County in assessing development pressures in the vicinity of the Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic District and in considering modifications to its historic district design guidelines. Although it is not anticipated that the students’ final product will be ready for immediate adoption, this product will provide the community with valuable information while providing students with a realistic introduction to the preservation planning profession.

Course Objectives

  1. To utilize the research, documentation, and analytical skills acquired to date by students.
  2. To apply students’ knowledge of preservation planning and available regulatory tools to a particular community’s built environment.
  3. To gain experience working directly with professional staff members and city officials in an applied context.
  4. To provide a local community with information and recommendations that assist its efforts to manage growth while protecting its cultural resources.

Requirements

  1. Preparation & Participation
    This course requires a significant expenditure of time both in and out of class. Students will be working in teams; therefore, individual performances will have a significant effect on the overall experience and on the final work product. Students must come to class prepared, whether we are in the classroom, the computer lab, or out in the field.
  1. Attendance
    Attendance is absolutely critical to the quality of your learning experience and to that of your colleagues. No more than one unexcused absence during the course of the semester will be accepted. Please notify me as soon as possible if you anticipate missing class or in the case of an excused absence. If you are unable to reach me for any reason, please contact Sharon Hale, the Department’s administrative assistant at 654-1041.
  1. Transportation & Scheduling
    This course requires that students spend a significant amount of time in the Spotsylvania Courthouse area for research and fieldwork purposes. The schedule listed on this syllabus is tentative and changes will be made as necessary depending on communications with Spotsylvania staff members and the needs of the class. The course instructor is responsible for making all UMW vehicle reservations; if students wish to use a UMW vehicle outside of the regularly scheduled class time for additional fieldwork, they must contact me at least 5 days in advance and one student must be certified by Facilities Services to drive. Students are encouraged to use UMW vehicles for any additional trips to Spotsylvania County as mileage and gas expenses incurred with a private vehicle cannot be reimbursed. We will make every effort to use class time for fieldwork.
  1. Computer Resources & Communications
    The computer lab in Combs 349 has been reserved for this course as indicated on this syllabus. This will allow students to have access to computers and to any digital data to allow for collaboration as a team. If class time is allocated for the computer lab, students are expected to work during that time. Additional time in the lab may be scheduled depending on our needs; the instructor must request any changes or additional times, so if students believe additional computer lab time is needed, they should contact the instructor as far in advance as possible.

    We will need to communicate frequently outside of class. All team communications should be relayed via email and the class website http://planninglab2008.wordpress.com/. It is imperative that you check your email frequently and that you keep your account clear to receive messages and documents. Individual queries can be handled via email, phone or during office hours.
  1. Work Products & Evaluation
    Spotsylvania County is anticipating that this project will produce:
  • An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the Spotsylvania County Historic District Design Guidelines, particularly as pertains to the guidelines for new construction;
  • An investigation of development pressures affecting the Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic District and its surrounding area;
  • Recommendations for modification to the design guidelines, and possibly to the historic district boundaries.
  • As time permits, an initial investigation into the potential for creating a neighborhood conservation overlay district for some of the areas outside of the historic district boundaries.

    The actual form of the work products will be determined by the nature of the information itself, the needs of the County, and the constraints imposed by time, number of students, etc.

    Students will be evaluated based on their attendance, active participation, extent of contribution to the project and the completion and quality of the work products. All work products must be submitted by the deadline specified. Late submissions will be marked down a full letter grade per day.
    1. Contact Person for Spotsylvania County Planning Department
      Andrew Deci, a planner for Spotsylvania County, will serve as our primary staff contact for the project. He communicates best via email: ADeci@spotsylvania.va.us. Please respect his time and other work obligations by limiting inquiries and consolidating questions into a single email whenever possible.
    1. Exams
      A final written assignment will serve in lieu of a final exam. The deadline is Monday, April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

    Required Texts
    There are no required texts for this course. Materials will be made available online or in class.

    Graded Course Work
    Deadlines for each assignment are listed below. Deadlines are tentative and are subject to change. Any announcement of a changed deadline will be posted on the class website at http://planninglab2008.wordpress.com/  and an email will be sent to all students. No passing grade can be achieved in this course without completion of all course requirements.

    Graded Course Requirements

    Due Date

    Percentage

    Class Participation and Team Contribution

    N/A

    20%

    Guidelines Analysis & Recommendations

    2/13

    20%

    Windshield Survey & Recommendations for District Boundaries

    3/21

    10%

    Analysis of Development Pressures

    4/9

    20%

    Contribution to Final Client Report and Presentation

    4/16 and 4/23

    20%

    Final Exam Assignment

    4/28

    10%

    Total

    100%
    Grading Scale

    A

    4.00

    94-100%

    A-

    3.70

    90-93%

    B+

    3.30

    87-89%

    B

    3.00

    83-86%

    B-

    2.70

    80-82%

    C+

    2.30

    77-79%

    C

    2.00

    73-76%

    C-

    1.70

    70-72%

    D+

    1.30

    67-69%

    D

    1.00

    60-66%

    F

    0.00

    <60%

    A mid-semester report of unsatisfactory (U) will be reported if a student has a C- or below in the course at the time reports are submitted.

    Instructor Information
    M. Megan McDonald
    Combs – Office #122
    (540) 654-1371 
    mmcdonal@umw.edu

    Office Hours:
    Mondays:    11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    Tuesdays:    2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    Wednesdays:   11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Thursdays:     2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    Also by appointment.

    Office of Disability Services
    The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services through that office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Please bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise.

    If you have not made contact with the Office of Disability Services and have accommodation needs, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), I will be happy to refer you. The office will require appropriate documentation of disability, and may be contacted at (540) 654-1266.

    CLASS SCHEDULE

    Week 1              

    1/16 W:                 Introduction – Combs 25
                   Review of online materials & discussion – Combs 349 from 3:00 – 4:45 p.m.

    Week 2

    1/23 W:   Trip to Spotsylvania
                   Tour of Spotsylvania Courthouse area & discussion with planning staff
    Reading:
    Spotsylvania County Historic District Design Guidelines, 1989

    Week 3

    1/30 W:  Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00– 4:45 p.m.)
       Research
                   Identify 2 other communities whose design guidelines you will examine.

    Week 4

    2/6 W:     Trip to Spotsylvania
                   Reconnaissance and Research

    Week 5: 

    2/13 W:   Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00 – 4:45 p.m.)
                   Research
                   Guidelines Analysis & Recommendations assignment due by 5:00 p.m.

    Week 6

    2/20 W:   Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00 – 4:45 p.m.)
                   Discuss results of Guidelines Analysis assignment;
                   Prepare for historic district boundary survey              

    Week 7

    2/27 W:   Trip to Spotsylvania
                   Reconnaissance and Research (district boundaries and development pressures)

    Week 8

    3/5 W:     NO CLASS – Spring Break

    Week 9

    3/12 W:  Trip to Spotsylvania
                   Reconnaissance and Research (district boundaries and development pressures)

    Week 10

    3/19 W:  Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00 – 4:45 p.m.)
                   Research (district boundaries and development pressures)
    Recommendations for District Boundaries assignment due by noon on Friday, 3/21

    Week 11

    3/26 W:    Discuss findings from Recommendations for District Boundaries assignment
                   Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00 – 4:45 p.m.)
                   Research (district boundaries and development pressures)

    Week 12

    4/2 W:     Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00 – 4:45 p.m.)
                   Research (district boundaries and development pressures)

    Week 13

    4/9 W:  Discuss findings from Analysis of Development Pressures assignment
                   Assign editing duties for final client report
                   Analysis of Development Pressures assignment due

    Week 14

    4/16 W:  Time in Computer Lab Scheduled (2:00 – 4:45 p.m.)
       Work on final presentation
       Final Client Report due by 5:00 p.m.

    Week 15

    4/23 W:  Trip to Spotsylvania
                   Present findings to Planning Department (tentative)

    4/28 M:  Final Exam Assignment due by 5:00 p.m.