INAG 362S (3 credit)
Australia 2013
Class meets 5:30-7:30 PM Sundays (except Super Bowl – 3-5 PM)
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.
Course description: The purpose of this course is to provide students with the
knowledge needed to travel to Australia to gain a comprehensive understanding of
agricultural, cultural and history of Australia.
Objectives:
1. Compare and contrast Australian
and US agriculture.
2. Compare and contrast Australian
and US culture.
3. Identify Australian historical
important events.
4. Explain geography, development &
educational practices in Australia.
Course expectations: Students will attend
all pre-travel sessions to prepare for the
travel component of the course.
Dates
1- 20
1- 27
2-3
2 - 10
2 - 17
2 - 24
3-3
3 - 24
Topics
Orientation, expectations
and responsibilities
International travel,
working in international
settings
History, geography
Culture
Development
Agriculture
Education
Presentations
Responsibilities
3 students present
3 students present
2 students present
3 students present
2 students present
13 students present
Assignments:
1. Content Presentation: In groups of 2-3 students, individuals will each
develop a 30-minute presentation of the content for each major topic listed
in the syllabus for one session. These presentations will consist of a
PowerPoint type of presentation that will provide an in-depth and
comprehensive review of the topic. Students will coordinate with team
members (so that the same content will not be repeated). Students will be
evaluated individually. Handouts and readings will strengthen the overall
evaluation. A copy of the PowerPoints need to be submitted for final
evaluation. The evaluation will be based on content and delivery. 100 points
2. Daily Reflective Journal – Each day, students (while traveling – including
actual travel days) will write a reflective journal detailing, learning
experiences, cultural understandings, positive and negative experiences of
traveling and other relevant information. These journals will be reviewed
and evaluated periodically on the trip. The evaluation will be based on
sincerity, depth of reflection, insight provided, thoroughness and effort. 100
points
3. Final Presentation – After returning to WIU, students will each develop a
five-minute presentation to be given over a specific topic learned in
Australia. Evaluations will be given for individuals. The evaluation will be
based on content and delivery. These PowerPoint type presentations will
feature photographs taken on the trip. 100 points
4. Active positive participation travel component – While on the travel
portion of the course students will be evaluated on teamwork, positive
engagement, timeliness, cooperation, attitude, interest, WIU presentation in
Australia and respect. A portion of this evaluation (25%) will be a written
self-assessment, peer assessment (25%) and faculty assessment (50%). 100
points
5. Active positive participation campus component – Regarding the campus
component, students need to attend all classes. Any unexcused absence will
result in a letter grade reduction in the course. 100 points
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 will be based on:
Evaluation
Content Presentation
Daily Reflective Journal
Final Presentation
Active positive participation travel
component
Active positive participation
campus component
Total
Points possible
100
100
100
100
Your score
100
500
Course polices:
Excuses: Any excuse for a missed assignment must be cleared before the assignment
is
due. In general, the only accepted excuses will be for pre-excused official university
events, personal health with a doctor's excuse, and verifiable family emergencies. Missed
class: One class may be missed that meets the above stated standard – a make-up activity
can be arranged to supplement the content missed. The makeup activity includes
reviewing content and writing a report.
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
Hats off! Hats and caps will not be worn in class when students are giving presentaions.
Ten points per class will be deducted. Each student needs to review the information at:
http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php
Schedule: The instructor reserves the right to change topics to fit the needs of the
students and or to accommodate the teaching schedule.
Attention Education Majors:
The changes within the state certification require all education majors to receive a grade
of a "C" or better in this course in order to meet these new requirements. With the
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.