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Instructors:
Kimberly Hannaway:
Greg Perry:
Dale Weber:

CSS 438/HORT 438/AREC 438/ANS 438. Exploring World Agriculture

Syllabus

Prerequisites: None specific.  The course is open to all students, particularly those majoring in the agricultural sciences.  Students should complete the spring course in order to participate in the subsequent foreign travel experience. 

Course Format:

Overview:

Many OSU agricultural students are not well prepared to meet the challenges of this century agriculture as it relates to the world economy.  Although well trained in the technical aspects of domestic agricultural production and business, students often lack the broader domestic and international perspective and experience that will be necessary to address worldwide food and agricultural issues.   Exploring World Agriculture (EWA) addresses this need by increasing student knowledge and understanding of agriculture in the global setting.

This is a class in exploring World agriculture.  Criteria for understanding and comparing agriculture and food systems will be developed from a variety of different perspectives.  In order to narrow the focus of inquiry, a specific region of the world is selected as a basis for closer examination.  During spring term, the class will explore different dimensions of agricultural production and the food industry in a selected region.  The subsequent travel experience to the selected region will then give students the opportunity to visit the targeted countries and experience first hand some of the issues discussed in class.  The 2007 EWA class will focus on the agriculture, culture and people of Australia.  The region to be featured in 2008 is under discussion.

Course Objectives:

1. To broaden student awareness of the role of agriculture in the global economy.
2. To offer new techniques, ideas, and practices in agricultural production and marketing.
3. To increase student appreciation of the agriculture, culture and trade in foreign countries.
4. To improve opportunities for students to obtain employment in international agriculture.

Student Outcomes:

Students will:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking in comparing and contrasting their local agricultural experience with the role and practices of agriculture in the target area of study.
2. Display their willingness to hear different techniques and practices.
3. Recall, organize, and synthesize their learning in activities  - journal writing, summarizations, and pictorials. 

Classroom Activities:

1. Weekly guest speakers will provide unique, first hand perspectives on the selected area of interest, including information on agricultural and cultural issues, in-country contacts, and travel logistics.
   
2. Students will further explore aspects of history, politics, culture, customs, agricultural systems, food consumption, trade and economic policy through ongoing in-class conversations.

Grading is on a pass/no pass basis.  To pass students must:

• Attend all class sessions (one excused absence is permitted)
• Complete assignments (journal writing, response to questions, pictorials, critique movies, interview natives from selected region