INAG 310 -- International Agriculture in Developing Countries – Spring 2014
School of Agriculture
Western Illinois University
Dr. Thomas Bruening, 321 Knoblauch Hall
Phone: 298-1611, Office Hours: M-W, 8:00-10, 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.
While this course is primarily taught as face-to-face lecture/discussion course, there will
be a number of readings and assignments on Western online.
This course meets four university graduation criteria:




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
1/13 M
Introduction to the course, assignments
and expectations
1/15 W
International agricultural education
defined, importance of International
Agriculture Education and topics –
1/17 F
International agricultural education
concept map
1/20 M
NO Class Dr. Martin L. King - Day
1/22 W
Why is International Agriculture
Important? Rural development
North/South
Explain the difference
between North and South
countries.
1/24 F
Identification of developing countries and
their problems
Identify and explain the
Millennial development
goals.
WO activity – read and
answer questions
1/27 M
World Food Supply
1/29 W
Problems with Basic Education
Identify the impact of
world drought and food
distribution issues.
Explain the issues with
basic education in
developing countries.
1/31 F
Rural Poverty- The Power of the Poorvideo
Impact of poverty on development
Identify and explain the
barriers that rural poor
must overcome to join the
“normal” economy.
Complete online activity.
2/3 M
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.
2
2/5 W
Rural Chinese Women’s Development
Identify and explain the
role of culture and tradition
in women’s development.
2/7 F
Australian Development
Compare and contrast
agriculture in Australia and
the US
2/10 M
Malnutrition
Explain the role of
nutrition in development.
2/12 W
President Lincoln’s Birthday – No Class
2/14 F
Farmer first research – needs identification Chambers Chapter 1.
– R. Chambers
Explain how needs of
farmers could be identified
WO activity – read and
answer questions
Farmer first research – needs identification What did you learn about
discussion
farmer needs?
2/17 M
2/19 W
International Trade – the big picture
2/21F
Agriculture Innovation Prize
2//24 M
Exam 1
2/26 W
Country Reports – groups will select
specific countries
2/28 F
Country Reports
3/3 M
Country Reports
3/5 W
Country Reports
3/7 F
Why Seasons Matter
3/10-3/14 (M-F)
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
3/17 M
Farmer First
3/19 W
Development in Brazil
3/21 F
Study abroad
What are the trends in
international trade?
Small group presentations
Chapter 4 Chambers. WO
activity – read and answer
questions
Chapter 5 Chambers. WO
activity – read and answer
questions
Identify key ag
development opportunities
What opportunities exist
for students at WIU?
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3/24 M
Aid – NGO’s role
3/26 W
Career opportunities in international
agriculture
3/28 F
International Trade – basics
Identify importance of
international trade
3/31 M
Keys to Ag Development or Extension
education
4/2 W
Peace Corps
Identification of strategies
that will aid development or compare and contrast
extension education across
the world.
What is the impact of
Peace Corps efforts?
4/4F
Exam II
4/7 M
Culture
4/9 W
Culture
4/11 F
Culture
4/14 M
Technology in development
4/16 W
Water resources in development – issues
of sanitation – Western online activity
4/18 F
Green Revolution - Western online
activity
4/21 M
Development in Russia
4/23 W
World Hunger
What is a NGO and how to
they help with
development efforts?
Identify and develop a
narrative – instructor
option for points
What’s your culture and its
role?
Explain the importance of
technology in
development.
Explain efforts to improve
the water quality and
access to high quality
water. Complete worksheet
and submit to drop box
Explain the importance of
green revolution in
developing countries.
Complete worksheet and
submit to drop box
Explain how agriculture
has changed in the postSoviet society.
Explain the impact of
poverty in developing
4
countries.
4/25 F
Resources – Micro credit
4/28 M
Development in China
4/30 W
Development in Africa
5/2 F
Water quality and issues of sanitation in
the developing world – video
5/5 M
Final Exam
Explain how microcredit
aids development efforts.
Complete worksheet and
submit to drop box
Compare and contrast
agriculture in various
regions of China.
Compare and contrast
agriculture in various
regions of South Africa.
Final Exam -- Monday, 5/5/14, 10:00 class at 10:00, 12:00 class at 1:00 PM
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 (comphensive)
Special assignment (instructor
option)
Country presentation
Quizzes possible (2 – 10 points)
Attendance and Participation
Homework/assignments (10-20
points each)
Total
Points possible
50
50
100
25
Your score
55
0-20
50
50 - 100
380 - 450
Quizzes: unannounced quizzes could be worth 10 pts. each (instructor’s option).
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Homework/assignments will be given for specific online activities. Students will need
to complete by the announced deadlines to receive full credit for the activity. Please
contact WIU computer support for help logging into Western Online. For this course you
will need to have access to high speed internet for some of the content.
Attendance will be taken in class. Students (excused and unexcused) that miss class six
or more sessions (excused and unexcused) will not be allowed to participate in extra
credit and/or grade adjustments that could occur in class. Don’t come to class and sleep –
sleeping in class will be counted as an absence and nonparticipation and you could be
asked to leave. Failure to complete an online activity is equal to missing class.
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.
Special assignment (instructor option)– students will be asked to develop a project.
Extra Credit: Extra Credit will be available only as follows (one of four options): 1.
Attending a pre-approved International presentation with write-up/summary -- 15 pts.
/session possible, 30 total maximum points (two 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 – book reports must be from approved list and are due no later than
4/18/14).
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.
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.
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Hats and caps will not be worn in class when presentations are given – points will be
deducted for failure to follow this policy. 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. Some additional online
assignments could be given in the course (this is why the total points varies).
Staplers: Assignments with multiple pages will have five points deducted if not stapled
together. I do not have a stapler that you can use.
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.
OARS – students are encouraged by the university to use OARS to document missing of
class. Using this system does not reduce your responsibility to complete assignments or
the content that you missed. Students need get notes, handouts and content information
from classmates. oars@wiu.edu
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