Part-Time Lecturer, Landscape Architecture History & Theory

About the role

The USC School of Architecture invites applicants for part-time faculty lecturer positions in landscape architecture for the academic year 2024–2025. The School seeks a candidate with a strong interest in teaching a seminar in the contemporary history and theory of landscape architecture. This course follows the core history of landscape architecture course, engaging students in the global topics, theories, impacts and potential of the modern field. The course synthesizes a wide range of perspectives on the representation, creation, synthesis and understanding of landscapes and their meaning.

Responsibilities

• Teach a seminar in contemporary history and theory of landscape architecture
• Lead weekly lectures and class discussions framing the meaning of landscape and place from the individual site to the territorial scale, as physical manifestation, framework, idea or memory
• Guide students in reading canonical texts and more recent publications
• Incorporate readings into student research projects to demonstrate critical thinking about how vernacular and formal landscapes have been and continue to be essential in ecological, economic and political systems, as cultural palimpsests and expressions of social issues

Course context

The course synthesizes a wide range of perspectives on the representation, creation, synthesis and understanding of landscapes and their meaning. Students read and discuss canonical texts, more recent publications, and incorporate them into research projects to demonstrate critical thinking about how vernacular and formal landscapes have been and continue to be essential in our ecological, economic and political systems, as cultural palimpsests and expressions of social issues.

Program overview

USC Master of Landscape Architecture + Urbanism Program believes that landscapes are the dynamic synthesis of natural systems, socio-cultural forces and the physical material of the constructed world. The program prepares students to think creatively and expansively through a synergy of coursework, active research, practice, and lived experience, providing graduates with the tools and confidence to take on the challenges of climate change and environmental justice through the design and planning of landscapes across scales—from small sites to towns and cities, ultimately whole regions and our shared planet. Whether exploring the history of indigenous people on Catalina Island or the lack of parks and urban canopy in South Los Angeles, the program imagines a future where landscapes and natural systems shape urban spaces, cities, and infrastructures to create more resilient futures—socially and ecologically.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master of Landscape Architecture degree required
• Minimum of 5 years of combined professional and teaching experience preferred
• Preference given to candidates with a proven track record of prior teaching experience in accredited landscape architecture programs

Application materials

• CV
• Cover letter
• 3–5 references with contact information
• Selected research and/or teaching samples (10 MB max)

Course outline requirement

Candidates must submit a course outline that illustrates critical approaches to contemporary landscape architecture and urbanism theory and practice.

Pay

Core salary range: $48 – $66.41 per hour. This is a part time, 30% position.