Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for GRN 272 archive revision 202004

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Effective Term:
Fall 2020 through Summer 2023

Course Number:
GRN 272
Course Title:
Therapeutic Garden Design, Maintenance & Programming
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture/Lab Hours:
60
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Focuses on the design, maintenance and programming of natural and horticultural therapeutic gardens. Includes working with an interdisciplinary team, garden assessment using therapeutic gardening standards, designing restorative settings, planning and conducting group and seasonal sessions, and sensory goals programming for dementia clients. Covers patio and strolling gardens for assisted living facility programs and special needs gardens. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This is the sixth course of a 6 course, 14 credit sequence in therapeutic horticulture required by the Therapeutic Horticulture Activity Specialist Certificate of Completion and accreditation with the American Horticultural Therapy Association.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Design, develop, and maintain programming for natural and horticultural therapeutic gardens, appropriate for a variety of special populations and working within an interdisciplinary team.
  • Design and assess restorative and therapeutic garden programs, including individual and group sessions, seasonal programming, specialized programming for dementia clients and special needs populations.

Aspirational Goals

  • Basic understanding of therapeutic gardens and how they differ from other gardens
  • Successful maintenance of therapeutic gardens
  • Sustainability of therapeutic gardens

Course Activities and Design

Course is conducted as a hybrid, including contact with the therapeutic horticulture program and garden. Includes a combination of reading, lecture, discussion, observation and practice in the program and garden, and in a variety of locations. Focuses on restorative and therapeutic garden design, as well as programming appropriate to various settings and populations.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Students will demonstrate they have met the learning outcomes through various means, including oral, demonstration, and written examinations; and capstone projects in garden design, maintenance, and programming.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Horticulture, therapeutic horticulture, horticultural therapy and therapeutic garden
Historical development of therapeutic gardens
Benefits of therapeutic horticulture and gardens
The interdisciplinary team
AHTA Therapeutic Garden standards
Case Studies
Raised Beds
Garden assessment
Coherence, legibility, complexity and mystery in garden design
Restorative settings
Group and individual sessions in therapeutic gardens
Garden design and maintenance
Seasonal session planning to meet cognitive and sensory goals
Patio and strolling gardens
Therapeutic applications of trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and annuals
Professional Ethics