Revised 1/2025

HRT 120 - History of Garden Design (3 CR.)

Course Description

Studies the development of gardens as they chronicle the development of civilization. Introduces the periods, in both Europe and North America, beginning with settlement, on through industrial development, land and space utilization to current environmental concerns. Explores physical and cultural influences on garden design and utilization. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is to present an overview of garden design as a reflection of the development of civilization. The trends of each era are discussed in the context of period society.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Functional literacy in the English language and basic math skills.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Identify the historical sequence of garden design
• Identify the social context in the development of western garden design versus eastern garden design
• Cite the major influences in current U.S. garden design
• Have a basic understanding of the origins of trends, designs and ornaments used in modern design

Major Topics to Be Included

• Ancient gardens beginning with the settlement of man
• Egyptian Gardens, Mesopotamian Gardens
• Ancient Greek and Roman Gardens
• Historical overview of European and English Garden development
• Development of Eastern Gardens
• Man’s view through the ages of his role in society and its influence on garden design
• Current gardening trends
• Future trends