Catalog Description
AGED 3142 Agricultural Communications (FA, SP)
An overview of communications in the agricultural, food and life sciences,
including newsletter design, slide presentations, news writing, electronic
communication and web publishing. Computer and keyboarding skills
are necessary.
Course Goal and Objectives
The goal of this course is for students to develop a practical understanding
of communications (written, spoken, electronic and non-verbal) in
agricultural, food and life sciences. This goal will be achieved through
the following objectives:
• Provide an understanding of the importance of effective writing
skills, including proper grammar and punctuation.
• Provide an opportunity to develop and apply written and electronic
forms of communication.
• Develop students' understanding of human communication theories
that can be applied in practice and pedagogy.
• Improve students' writing skills at the organizational and
sentence levels.
• Introduce students to practical concepts related to media relations
and public campaign planning, while increasing their understanding
of current agricultural issues.
• Provide students with a practical understanding of various
mass media channels, how they function, and how they are used.
• Provide practical communications experience in journalistic
writing (news story), publication design (newsletter), professional
presentations, and Web design.
• Equip students with computer skills related to public communications,
including Web searching, desktop publishing, visual presentation design,
and Web design.
• Expand students' experience in working collaboratively.
• Improve students' public speaking and presentation skills.
Required Textbook
Agricultural Communicators in Education. 1999. The Communicator's
Handbook: Techniques and Technology. Gainesville, FL: Maupin House.
Suggested Textbooks
Any good handbook of grammar and usage, such as the Little Brown Handbook,
the Holt Handbook, The Elements of Style, or the Harbrace College
Handbook; a good dictionary; and an AP style manual.
Internet Connectivity
An active e-mail account at the University of Arkansas and the ability
to use it to send and receive e-mail messages and attachments. Students
should check their e-mail regularly for messages from the instructors.
Grading
All writing assignments must be completed using a computer. Please
note that all major assignments will be graded for grammar, spelling
and usage as well as content and design. Also please note that attendance
is linked to the grading system in the form of unannounced quizzes.
Grading is based on three major projects, two examinations, homework
and unannounced quizzes, and class participation in group work. Many
of the homework and major assignments will be closely linked to the
laboratory portion of the course. The point system is listed below:
| Journalistic Writing Newsletter Group Presentation Midterm Exam Final Project Final Exam Homework/quiz average Group participation Total Available Points |
100 points |
Grades will be earned on the following basis:
930-1000 points = A
900-929 points = A-
880-899 points = B+
830-879 points = B
800-829 points = B-
780-799 points = C+
730-779 points = C
700-729 points = C-
680-699 points = D+
630-679 points = D
600-629 points = D-
< 600 points = F
Late Assignment Policy
Late assignments will be accepted up to four school days after the
due date. Ten percent will be deducted from the assignment each day
it is late. Assignments not submitted within four days will receive
a zero.
Academic Honesty
Your work on individual assignments and exams must be your own, but
collaborative learning with peers is encouraged in the lab. Appropriate
citations for sources used in written assignments are required. First-time
offenders will receive a zero for the assignment/exam. Second-time
offenders will fail the course.
Special Accommodations
All services, programs, and activities at the University are accessible
to students with disabilities. If you have a disability that interferes
in any way with your potential for success in this course, please
inform me during the first week of class, so any special arrangements
can be made. To receive special services, you must be registered with
the Center for Students with Disabilities.
Attendance Policy
Students are encouraged to attend every class period. Unannounced
quizzes will be administered frequently. Assignments and quizzes missed
because of unexcused absences may not be made up. Students should
e-mail the instructor in advance regarding excused absences so arrangements
can be made to make up the missed work. Students are responsible for
obtaining missed lecture notes and other information, such as announcements
and assignment due dates, from their colleagues in the course.
Syllabus Content and Schedule Changes
The syllabus schedule and content may change at the discretion of
the instructor. Such changes will be clearly announced in class.
