INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
INAG 310 –SUMMER 2014
School of Agriculture - Western Illinois University
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Kevin J. Bacon
Office Phone: 309/298-1084
Office Fax: 309/298-2280
Email: KJ-Bacon@wiu.edu
Office: 315 Knoblauch
Virtual Office Hours: M-T-W 9–10:30,
or by appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES:
INAG 310 focuses on international agriculture development. Special emphasis is given to world hunger
and world food needs, use of limited natural resources, population growth, trade policies, and appropriate
technology used in developing countries.
This course falls into the General Education/Multicultural Studies area and is a writing intensive course. It
also has been approved as a Global Issues course. There are no prerequisites for this course. However,
completion of an English Composition course would be beneficial.
JUSTIFICATION:
Over the past several decades the American agricultural and food systems have become increasingly
global in perspective. Consumers regularly consume foods which originate and/or are produced around
the world. Midwest farmers depend on export markets for the sale of a significant portion of their
production; seed and chemical companies are international in scope; and US foreign policy has, at times,
both helped and hindered the development of agricultural export markets. In most developing countries,
the majority of the people are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Their cultural values affect
their agricultural systems and how those systems relate to the global agricultural system. It is almost
certain that today's students will be involved internationally, whether they work for a company with an
international division, produce a product for an international market, or work for an organization that
faces international competition. An understanding of the human and cultural diversity found in the
agricultural and food systems will provide a basis for more effectively handling the international aspects
of careers.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how culture influences and
interacts with the production, distribution and consumption of food in other countries; how American
agriculture fits into the world economy; and what developing countries are doing to increase food
availability for their growing populations, given their cultural and economic constraints.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the variations in, and the critical role played by, agriculture in
the world today.
2. Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the impact, and interaction, of human and cultural
diversity on food systems in other countries.
3. Analyze the impact of the world agricultural situation on American agriculture.
4. Analyze how agricultural development can be initiated and sustained in developing countries with
diverse cultural backgrounds.
5. Analyze the impact of environmental, physical, and socio-economic variables on agricultural
production and human welfare.
6. Develop knowledge and appreciation of other cultures.
7. Demonstrate improvement in effective writing skills.
GRADING POLICY:
The course grade will be based on the following factors, with weights as indicated:
 Exam I 20%
 Final Exam 30%
 Quizzes/Homework 10%
 Discussion Board Postings 10%
 Country Research Paper 20%
 Country Presentation 10%
The final grading scale is based on the percentages shown below:
A = 100-93
C+ = 79-77
A- = 92-90
C = 76-73
B+ = 89-87
C- = 72-70
B = 86-83
D+ = 69-67
B- = 82-80
D = 66-63
D- = 62-60
F = 59-0
There will be no "extra credit" assignments; however grades may be curved upward at the end of the
semester.
Country Research Paper. Each student will write a country research paper that is a minimum of 8 pages
in length (double spaced with one-inch margins and be in 12 point font). Each student will be assigned a
country. More information is provided in the Country Report Document available in Western Online.
Country Presentation. Each student will submit a PowerPoint presentation (with dialog included) on the
agriculture, industry/commerce, culture, and political structure of the assigned country.
Quizzes. Each module will have an online quiz. Completion of the quiz is required before the next
module will be released.
Discussion Board. Each module will have a discussion board with directions on posting requirements.
Exams. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and true false. There will be one mid-term and
one final. The final will be comprehensive. Exams will be administered online.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Academic Integrity: You should be well aware of what actions violate the standards of academic
honesty which have been established at this University. If you are not aware of what constitutes an
academic violation, or not aware of regulations/policies, please refer to
www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php on WIU’s webpage. If caught cheating on an exam or plagiarizing
others' work, you will be assigned a final grade of "F" for this course.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Detailed information regarding student rights and responsibilities
can be found at www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the
posted information.
Special Accommodations: If you need special accommodations, please feel free to stop by and discuss
your needs or contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512.
COURSE OUTLINE - Module Timelines
In order to give you as a student as much flexibility as possible while still maintaining some level of
grouping for completion of the course, I have struck on a balance of when modules will be released. For
the course there are a total of 9 modules plus a mid-term and a final exam. Each module will have a
targeted release time but will also require (except for Module 1) that the quiz from the previous module
has been completed. In order to have access to the quiz, all items in the Checklist have to be addressed
AND the discussion board will need to be completed. All modules open at 8:00 am on date specified.
Estimate of completion time will vary.
For the exams, there will be a window of time for the exam to be open. For the mid-term you will be
allowed 90 minutes from the time you start the exam. For the final, you will be allowed 120 minutes
from the time you start the exam. It is not anticipated that you will need the full amount of time for the
exams. Be sure that you have marked your answer to a question before you click on submit. Also be sure
to routinely submit your answers in case of a computer crash during the exam. You will be allowed to
complete the exams on your personal computer.
Please note that estimated completion time DOES NOT include time spent studying for the quizzes,
exams, or for preparing the paper/presentation.
Module 1 – Introduction
Module 2 – Current Status
Open
June 30*
June 30*
Module 3 – Culture
July 2
Module 4 – Population
July 5
Module 5 – Farming
Systems
Mid Term Exam
July 9
Module 6 - Hunger and
Poverty
Module 7 – Development
July 14
Module 8 – Environment
July 18
Module 9 – Country
Reports
Final Exam
July 23
July 11
July 16
July 25**
Restrictions
None
Completion of
Module 1 Quiz
Completion of
Module 2 Quiz
Completion of
Module 3 Quiz
Completion of
Module 4 Quiz
Completion of
Module 5 Quiz
Completion of
Exam
Completion of
Module 6 Quiz
Completion of
Module 7 Quiz
Completion of
Module 8 Quiz
Completion of
Module 9 Quiz
Estimated Completion Time
3 hours
3 hours
5 hours
6 hours
3 hours
1 hour
4 hours
6 hours
4 hours
5 hours
1 hour.
*My intent is to open the course a few days prior to June 25 to give everyone a chance to familiarize
themselves with the course site. If I can open it up sooner, I will let students know.
**I will try to leave the Final Exam open through Sunday night if I can. However, once you start the
exam you will need to complete it within 2 hours.
ACCREDITATION
The School of Agriculture is housed in the College of Business and Technology which is accredited by
AACSB-International.