Course detail

Introduction to permaculture design

FaVU-1UPDAcad. year: 2021/2022

The course is designed as a series of consecutive lectures. Within each class, students will learn about the general definition of permaculture design and the circumstances of its emergence. Further lectures and exercises will deal with the individual principles of permaculture design and how they can be applied to other anthropogenically created structures. At the end of the semester, the students of the course will also get acquainted with the issues of permaculture design of human communities and environmental activism. The Introduction to Permaculture Design course is followed in the summer semester by practically oriented field trips and workshops taught within the course Modular teaching of technologies (Workshop).

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. MgA. Barbora Klímová, ArtD.

Department

Environment Studio (AEN)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Completion of the course should help students to orient themselves in the basic terms of permaculture design and the possibilities of their application in their own work or other activities. In addition, students will learn the basics of subsistence farming and an environmentally friendly approach to their surroundings.

Prerequisites

Previous experience in the field of permaculture design is not necessary.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theoretical lectures, analysis of texts and selected projects, discussions, practical demonstrations and exercises.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

For admission to the examination, which takes the form of a written test, the following conditions are set: active participation in the class (2 unexcused absences allowed, higher absences can be compensated by submitting an assignment based on an alternative assignment in agreement with the teacher) and submission of the final assignment, which will be discussed in the form of a colloquium.

Course curriculum

1 Introductory class. Permaculture - What? When? Why? How? Where?
2 Basic principles of permaculture design including ethical rules. Is it even possible to achieve sustainability in artistic creation?
3 Water management (methods of storing rainwater, water structures, irrigation options, aquaculture, aquaponics)
4 Soil and its properties (soil types, soil microbiology)
5 Basic genetics for growers (What did G. J. Mendel come up with? What is the F1 generation? What are non-hybrid varieties? How to breed your own variety? What is seed production?)
6 Polycultures/monocultures (advantages/disadvantages, interspecies cooperation)
7 Urban permaculture ("Transition cities", balcony subsistence, public green spaces)
8 Winterizing the garden (preparing for the next season, winter subsistence options)
9 Exercise - How to create a plan for cultivating space through permaculture design? (assignment)
10 Permacultural design of human communities (consensus, non-hierarchical structures, invisible structures)
11 Ecology and activism (Can change be achieved from below?)
12 and 13 Draft of permaculture design of selected habitats and their consultation.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to offer students a basic orientation in the key concepts, principles and theories of permaculture design. This is presented in the context of the wider development of modern environmental awareness as one of the possible responses to the climate crisis. Gradually, the audience will learn more about the different areas of interest of permaculture and will also become familiar with the practical applications of permaculture design, both for the purposes of their own creation and other activities of an anthropogenic nature.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Teaching takes place in the classrooms of FFA BUT in the hours determined by the timetable. The minimum attendance is 85%. Substitution of missed classes takes place after agreement with the teacher in the form of alternative assignments.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

D’Alisa G, Demaria F, Kallis G. DEGROWTH: A Vocabulary for a New Era. Routledge; 2015. 212 s. ISBN: 9781138000773
Fowkes M, Fowkes R.: Art and sustainability. In Morray J., Cawthorne G., Dey C. & . Andrew C., editors. Enough for all forever: A handbook for learning about sustainability. Champaign, Illinois: Common Ground, 2012. s. 215-228.
Hemenway T. The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for Urban, Suburban, and Town Resilience. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing Company; 2015. 288 s. ISBN: 1603585265
Holmgren D. Permakultura: Principy a cesty nad rámec trvalé udržitelnosti. Svojanov: PermaLot; 2006. 296 s. ISBN: 80-239-8125-0
Johanisová N. Růst či nerůst? Sedmá generace. 22. února 2011; 20(1): 3-5.
Macnamara L. People & Permaculture. England: Permanent Publications; 2012. 295 s. ISBN: 978-1-85623-087-2
Mollison B, Holmgren D. Permaculture One. A Perenial Agriculture for Human Settlements. Transworld Publishers; 1978. 128 s. ISBN: 0552980609
Mollison B. Permaculture: A Designers' Manual. Australia: Tagari Publications; 1988. 574 s. ISBN: 0908228015
Mollison B. Permaculture Two: Practical Design for Town and Country in Permanent Agriculture. Australia: Tagari Publications; 1979. 150 s. ISBN: 0908228007
Smith R, Hertzberg M, Westphal R. A Consensus Handbook: Co-operative decision-making for activists, co-ops and communities. England: Seeds for Change Lancaster Co-operative ltd; 2013. 224 s. ISBN: 978-0957587106

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUB Bachelor's

    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme VUM Master's

    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. et MgA. Martin Žák