Dutch Landscapes
Few countries exist where human activities have exerted a greater influence in the shaping of the landscape than the Netherlands. With daily field excursions and detailed topographic maps, this off-campus course studies the richly varied and historically layered cultural landscapes of the Netherlands. The land reclamation and environmental preservation technologies used over many centuries are a part of this investigation. In this way the complex interrelationships between society, technology and land may be explored.
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Students experience a variety landscapes. These include centuries old agricultural and town landscapes of Friesland and Groningen, 17th century polder landscapes of Noord Holland, the modern IJsselmeer Polders, the intensive horticultural landscape of the Westland district, new towns, the region of the great rivers, and the industrial landscape of Europoort - the world's largest harbor. Many of the excursions give special attention to land reclamation and environmental preservation technologies. Students see dwelling mounds over a thousand years old, windmills used to drain lakes over 300 years old, modern pumping facilities used to keep newly reclaimed land dry, modern windmills used to generate electricity and modern water treatment facilities. On the Delta plan excursion we see some of the most advanced and truly impressive engineering works ever built to protect the environment of the low lands from storms.