I.        Program Affiliation:                   Agriculture and Extension Education  -  College Core

          Course Number and Title:         AGED 4003  ISSUES IN AGRICULTURE

          Catalog Description:                  Lecture and discussion on local, regional, national, and
                                                              international issues related to agricultural policy, ethics,
                                                              environment, society, and science.

          Prerequisites:                            Senior standing.

          Instructor:                                 Donna Graham, Ph.D., Associate Professor
                                                          202 Agriculture Bldg.
          E-Mail Address                        dgraham@uark.edu

          Phone                                       575-2035

          Teaching Assistant                     Donna Cummings 575-6778
                                                           dlcummi@uark.edu
 

II.       Relationship to the Knowledge Base:         INITIAL TEACHER PREPARATION

            This course explores currently topical issues and those of long-standing concern that are related to agricultural policy, ethical dilemmas, the environment, society and science in general.  It is designed for all students who are completing their baccalaureate degree in any of the agricultural sciences.  The purpose of the course is to provide a forum in which students can integrate and synthesize knowledge acquired during their education, and to draw upon that knowledge to consider and evaluate real-life problems facing citizens and scientists in our society.

          A.       To present alternative views of policies, issues, and topics that may be of local, regional,
                       national, or international interest.

          B.       To provide an opportunity to develop confidence in your abilities to locate, synthesize and
                       integrate available information on agricultural and societal issues, and to improve
                       competence to formulate clear ideas and opinions.

          C.       To improve your ability and skills in expression of ideas and opinions through both oral
                       and written exercises.

          D.       To enable you, through cooperative learning strategies, to more effectively work together
                     and to understand alternative points of view.

          E.       To help you gain ability in using team approaches to problem solving and decision making
                     in the context of agricultural issues.

IV.     Competencies:

          Upon successful completion the course, you should be able to:

          A.       Identify selected critical issues related to agriculture.
          B.       Explore alternative points of view about each issue, i.e., views of various social groups,
                     views of science, views of politics, views of economics.
          C.       Formulate hypotheses to address or resolve each issue.
          D.       Objectively discuss each issue from the various alternative points of view.
          E.       Identify impediments to the resolution of issues.
          F.       Prepare and submit detailed written analyses of various points of view for selected issues.
          G.       Prepare and make presentations of alternative points of view for selected issues.
          H.       Make use of subject-matter experts in collecting data to inform discussions of selected
                     issues.

V.      Content:

            To be determined with class interest and identification as well as current issues of local, state or national significance.

           This course is intended as an integrating experience.  You will be expected to apply what you have learned throughout your college experience -- in terms of subject matter knowledge and procedures for applying knowledge -- to problems of practice which are of  concern in the field of agriculture or in society in general.  You will be challenged to address selected issues, to identify root problems and causes, to analyze and synthesize all available data, and to bring multiple sources of knowledge and skill to bear in making logical inferences toward resolution of the problem.  Each student brings to the class a unique body of knowledge represented by his/her major.  As such, you will be expected to serve as an “expert” in that and related fields

            Class time will be devoted to introduction of issues, presentation of basic facts about each issue, discussion of the problems inherent in each issue, for limited team activities, and for summary discussions and reports.

            Throughout the term, the class will identify a series of issues to address.  For some issues, the class will be divided into diverse teams of experts to supply alternate solutions of, or recommendations about, a specific problem within the issue.  Each team is encouraged to be as creative as possible in seeking and interpreting information toward problem solution.

            After a predetermined time for team work toward problem resolution, each team will present a “project brief” or “consulting report” in the form of a paper and an oral presentation.  The report will be a team product and contain at least the following parts:

Abstract

Overview of issue and important considerations of the issue.

Identification of specific problems and dilemmas in the issue.

Identification of the parties involved.

Clear description of the parties position on the issue, objectives and guiding values or assumptions.

Presentation of the facts of the issue.

Alternatives/consequences toward problem resolution.

Recommendation.

            You will assume the role of one of the major players when preparing the project brief. While it is possible to be biased in your opinion, you should still try to include all these aspects in your report.

            Each team member will be expected to contribute equally to each report and team responsibilities should be distributed equally among the team members.  Each team member will provide an estimate of the contribution by each other team member toward completion of the team project.

            Evidence of the use of external research and information will be expected.  All resources must be properly cited.  While use of Internet resources is encouraged, approximately 50% of resources used and cited must be from the professional literature base related to the issue under study  (The “professional literature base” is defined as “refereed” or “peer reviewed” and includes articles of research or, as appropriate, legal briefs).

            Grammar and spelling are considered in grades. Always save your work with a back up file.   Reports are to be typed.

B.         Teamwork and Attendance

            You will be expected to participate in daily class sessions and group reports.   The class sessions will include presentations of factual information regarding agricultural issues by invited experts and class members.  “Round table” discussions of each issue may be held during class time, and each individual student will participate as either a round table panel member or a responsive discussant to the panel for each of the issues.  You should consider the quality of your participation, not just “air time.”  You will notice in the evaluation section there are thirty points available for participation (attendance) and twenty-five points available as discretionary points.

How can you loose these points?
            1. You will lose 3 points for every unexcused absence.
            2. You will lose up to ten points at my discretion in a given teamwork activity for
                lack of teamwork or “free-riding.”

Team Consulting Reports.    100 points each = 200 points

Individual Memos.    100 points each = 300 points

Team Presentation of Issue.    100 points each = 200 points

References.    5 points each = 75 points

Group Process Essays.    25 points each = 50 points

Attendance.    30 points

Discretionary points.    25 points

Interviews.    30 points
           Citation (name, date, job position) = 5 points
           Interview (questions asked and summary of responses) = 15 points
           Perceptions, Implications = 10 points

Total points possible: 910 points.

          Grading procedures are assigned as a rounded percentage of the possible points:

                      90   to  100        A
                      80   to   89         B
                      70   to   79         C
                      60   to   69         D
                           <60               F

           Late work will be accepted with a 10% penalty and will only be accepted by the following week. No assignments will be accepted after the last day of regularly scheduled classes.  Incomplete grades will only be given in accordance with University policy.

            The University of Arkansas Academic Honesty Policy, as stated in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog will be fully followed in this course.  It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of and follow the Policy.

STUDENT Responsibility:

A.        If, as a student, you have specific concerns about the course or need special
            accommodations to participate in the course, please contact the instructor in person
            or by e-mail. Students registered with campus access should provide the instructor
            with a notice of accommodation requested.

B.        You are to notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the course of
            any religious observances which will necessitate an absence from class.

C.        If you plan to participate in sanctioned judging trips, professional society meetings,
            and similar events, you are to submit a letter from the sponsor of the activity outlining
            your absence from class two weeks prior to the trip, if possible.

D.        Grammar and spelling are considered in grade calculations. Students are encouraged
            to contact the Writing Center at 575-6747 or the Student Development Center
            575-3546 if assistance is needed.

E.        ALWAYS SAVE YOUR WORK WITH A BACK UP FILE.

F.         Inclement Weather.  Please check local radio stations in the case of inclement
            weather before driving to campus.  Use your judgment in attending class.  You will
            not be penalized for missing class during inclement weather.

G.        As a professional courtesy, please remove all hats upon entering the classroom and
            discontinue the use of cellular phones.

H.        More than half of the course requirements are dependent upon group work. It is your
            responsibility to be a contributing member of your assigned group. If you miss two
            consecutive class periods, please notify the instructor or teaching assistant.

            The primary resources used in the course will be case studies, textbook, news articles, handouts, experts and the professional literature base.  You are expected to identify and investigate information which may come from a variety of sources outside of class.

          A.       Other students as members of teams to address various aspects of each issue.
          B.       Popular literature related to each selected issue.
          C.       Scientific literature related to each issue.
          D.       Subject-matter experts related to each issue.
          E.       Case studies selected by course instructor(s).