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Sustainable Agriculture – FALL – M 12:20pm-4:25pm
and W 12:20pm-1:10pm
This course is designed for both agriculture and non-agriculture
students who want to explore ethical, practical and scientific aspects of the
quest for long term agricultural sustainability. Students will learn about
the economic, social and environmental impacts of food production systems and
how their own choices impact sustainability. There will be a field trip each
of the first 8 - 10 Monday afternoons of the semester, depending on the
weather. Classroom instruction will include assigned readings, decision
cases, lectures, class dialogue, and individual research and student
presentations. Fall semester. 3 credits.
To register, go to SPIRE 78675.
Course Description: This course is designed for agriculture and
non-agriculture students who want to explore ethical, practical, and
scientific aspects of the quest for long-term agricultural sustainability in
the U.S. The course will include field trips, lectures, current topics,
assigned readings, weekly writing, and individual research.
Course
Objectives: Students will learn to
think critically from a scientific, social and personal framework using
indicators of sustainability and agroecological principles. Students
will learn to evaluate the impact of farming practices on the farm economy,
the natural environment and human society. Students will learn about
specific farming practices and evaluate these with respect to the long-term
sustainability of agriculture in the U.S. A major theme of the class
will be to develop a systemic understanding of agricultural sustainability.
Field Trips: Each Monday afternoon for the first 8 – 10 weeks of
the course (depending on the weather) we will visit farms and agricultural
related organizations in the region. These field trips will provide the
basis for discussions and developing a community understanding of
agricultural sustainability by the class. Boots are suggested for these
trips. The preliminary schedule is here
(subject to change).
Texts and Reading: Most of the readings in the course will be selected
from the current agricultural, ecological, and social science literature.
There is no required text for the course. A Workbook and Reader is
available for purchase from Campus Design and Copy on the second floor of the
Student Union.
Course
Expectations: Students will be
expected to attend class and participate in class discussions. Students will
be asked to write a short research paper or present an oral report on
a topic of their choice. There will also be either a written homework
assignment or a writing assignment (1/2 page) at the beginning of each
class.
A.
Class Writing Assignments &
Homework: Each class will begin
with either a five-minute writing assignment in response to a question from
the instructor, or a reading and set of questions assigned as homework during
the previous class period. The purpose of the writing assignment is to
engage students in the class content and to allow more interaction with the
instructor on an individual basis. Class Writing Assignments will
account for 25% of the grade.
B.
Class Participation: Participation will be measured by class
attendance. Permission for missed classes may be obtained with prior
notice to the instructor. Class participation will account for 50% of
the grade.
C.
Research Paper or Oral
Presentation: Each student will
choose one of the following for a semester project. 1) You may choose a
topic of personal interest relating to agricultural sustainability and
present this topic to the class; or 2) you may choose topic of personal
interest relating to agricultural sustainability and write a research paper
on the topic. This will account for 25% of the grade.
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