INAG 310 -- International Agriculture in Developing Countries - Spring 2013
School of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
Dr. Thomas Bruening, 321 Knoblauch Hall
Phone: 298-1611, Office Hours: M-F, 9-10, Tues. 1-3, Email for an appointment, E-mail:
T-Bruening@wiu.edu
INAG 310-1 10:00-10:50 MWF
INAG 310-2 12:00-12:50 MWF
Course Description: The study of
international agricultural problems and
processes in developing countries. A
special emphasis will be given to world
hunger, the world food supply, women and
children issues, use of resources,
population growth, culture, and trade
policies.
This course meets four university graduation criteria:
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


Upper division
Agricultural elective
Multicultural – Gen Ed
Global Issues – University graduate requirement
Course Objectives:
1. Explain interrelated factors involved in the world food situation, poverty and
population, including the role of food production, marketing, distribution, culture and
governmental policies that impact development of agricultural-based societies.
2. Develop an appreciation of other cultures.
3. Explain agricultural practices used in other nations.
4. Develop geographic literacy of developing countries.
5. Enhance writing skills and abilities.
Reading assignments will be given in class as handouts and materials will be added to
Western Online. Students will be responsible for readings as some exam questions will
come from this content.
Date
Topics
Assignments
1/14 M
Introduction to the course,
assignments and expectations
1/16 T
International agricultural education
defined, importance of International
Agriculture Education
1/18 F
International agricultural education
concept map
1/21 M
Dr. Martin Luther King Day -- No
Classes/University Closed
1/23 W
What is a developing country?
Explain the difference between
north and south countries.
1/25 F
Identification Millennial
Development Goals
Identify and explain the
Millennial development goals.
Complete online activity.
1/28 M
Problems with Basic Education
Explain the issues with basic
education in developing
countries.
1/30 W
World health issues
2/1F
Rural Poverty- The Power of the
Poor - video
Impact of poverty on development
Explain the major world health
issues that exist.
Identify and explain the barriers
that rural poor must overcome to
join the “normal” economy.
Complete online activity.
2/4 M
World Food Supply
Identify the impact of world
drought and food distribution
issues.
2/6 W
Rural Chinese Women’s
Development
Identify and explain the role of
culture and tradition in women’s
development.
2/8 F
Empowerment of Women
Access to credit/information
Explain how women have been
excluded from educational
opportunities and access to
credit.
Review concept map and
explain interrelationship of
development themes.
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2/11 M
Educational needs of youth in
international agriculture – needs
identification
Explain how the needs of youth
can be identified WO activity –
read and answer questions
2/13W
International Trade – Dr. Kevin
Bacon
2/15 F
Farmer first research – needs
identification – R. Chambers
2/18 M
Trends in international trade
2/20 W
Malnutrition
2/22 F
Exam 1
2/25 M
Country Reports – groups will select
specific countries from a list
2/27 W
Country Reports
3/1 F
Country Reports
3/4 M
Country Reports
3/6 W
New Zealand – Dr. William Bailey
Compare and contrast
agriculture in NZ and the US
3/8 F
Aid – NGO’s role
What is a NGO and how to they
help with development efforts?
WO activity – read and answer
questions
3-11 to 3-15
WIU - Spring BREAK
3/18 M
Study Abroad Opportunities– guest
speaker
3/20 W
Agriculture in Australia
3/22 F
Technology in development
Explain the importance of
technology in development.
3/25 M
Project development
Explain the role of projects
Explain how needs of farmers
could be identified WO activity
– read and answer questions
What are the trends in
international trade?
Explain the role of nutrition in
development.
Small group presentations
What opportunities exist for
students at WIU?
3
3/27 W
Culture
What is your culture and its
role?
3/29 F
Culture
4/1 M
Culture
4/3 W
Peace Corps – possible guest speaker
4/5 F
Exam II
4/8 M
Keys to Ag Development
Identification of strategies that
will aid development.
4/10 W
Development in Russia
Explain how agriculture has
changed in the post-Soviet
society.
4/12 F
Resources – Micro credit
4/15 M
World Hunger
Explain how microcredit aids
development efforts. Complete
worksheet and submit to drop
box
Explain the impact of poverty in
developing countries.
4/17 W
Extension education
Compare and contrast extension
education across the world.
4/19 F
Green Revolution
4/22 M
Development in Africa
Explain the importance of green
revolution in developing
countries.
Complete worksheet and submit
to drop box
Compare and contrast
agriculture in various regions of
Africa.
4/24 W
Development in China
Compare and contrast
agriculture in various regions of
China.
4/26 F
Water resources in development –
issues of sanitation
Explain efforts to improve water
quality and access to high
quality water. Complete
worksheet and submit to drop
box
What is the impact of Peace
Corps efforts?
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4/29 M
Water quality and issues of sanitation
in the developing world – video
5/1 W
Discussion of international issues
5/3 F
Review
Final Exam -- Monday, 5/6, 10:00 class at 10:00, 12:00 class at 1:00
Grading Scale
A 100 - 92% A- 91 - 90% B+ 89 - 88% B 87 - 82% B- 81 - 80% C+ 79 - 78% C 77 - 72%
C- 71 - 70% D+ 69 - 68% D 67 - 62% D- 61 - 60% F <60%
Grades Based On:
Evaluation
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam (comprehensive)
Attendance and participation
Country presentation
Homework (8)
Unannounced quizzes (3 – 20 points)
Total
Points possible
50
50
100
100
50
15 points each - 120
60
530
Your score
Quizzes: Quizzes will be unannounced and will be worth 20 points each.
Attendance in all classes is strongly encouraged and attendance will be taken in class.
Individuals that miss six or more classes (excused and unexcused) will NOT have their
grades curves/altered. Also, these same individuals will NOT have the opportunity to
participate in extra credit opportunities. The attendance policy includes both in-class and
online participation and authentic engagement/efforts. Students missing class should ask
peers to get a copy of missed handouts.
Country Report -- Information will be available at the Western Online class page
regarding how to complete the country report. Additional Reading: Additional outsideclass reading material may be assigned on the Western Online page or given as handouts
in class.
Extra Credit: Extra Credit will be available only as follows: 1. Attending a pre-approved
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International presentation with write-up/summary -- 15 pts. /session possible, 30 total
maximum points (2 extra credit activities). Please see online module explaining how to
develop a two-page narrative.
2. Other specific events that will arise on campus, as approved by the instructor.
3. Extra credit assignments must be handed in within a week of the presentation for credit
to be given.
4. A book list will be provided and students may at the permission of the instructor, read
and then give a book report. An extensive book report/critical review format needs to be
followed and this book cannot be used in another class for a book report (total of 30
points possible).
Course polices:
Excuses: Any excuse for a missed test or assignment must be cleared before the
assignment is due or test is to be taken. In general, the only accepted excuses will be for
pre-excused official university events, personal health if a doctor's excuse is available,
and verifiable family emergencies.
Cell phones: All cell phones must be shut off when in class and put away. A deduction
of 10 points will be made for each cell phone call/text message made or received in class.
Plagiarism will be grounds for failing the course.
See WIU's policy at:
http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php
Sections of the class are not interchangeable. If
you cannot attend your section, it is not possible to
attend the other section without instructor approval.
Hats and caps will not be worn in class when
presentations are given. Each student needs to
review the information at:
http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php.
Twenty-five percent deductions in scores will be
given.
Schedule: The instructor reserves the right to
change topics to fit the needs of the students and or
to accommodate the teaching schedule.
Staplers: Assignments with multiple pages will have five points deducted if not stapled
together. I do not have a stapler that you can use.
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Attention Education Majors:
The changes within the state certification requirements, which go into effect immediately
for all of those students who graduate in the spring 2012 and after, you are required to
receive a grade of a "C" or better in this course in order to meet these new
requirements. With the new university +/- grading system, receiving a "C-" or below will
require you to retake this course or find a substitute course to meet School of Agriculture
graduation requirements.
In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the
need for an accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s)
you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability
Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the
initiative to bring such needs to the instructor’s attention, as he/she is not legally
permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require
special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the
instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact
Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.
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