Introduction to Agricultural and Food Systems (AFS 101)
(3 credits, no prerequisites)
Syllabus for AFS 101, Fall 2008
Fall 2008, M, W 12:10-1 p.m. and W 1:10 - 3 p.m. in Vogel Plant Science Building 35
Taught by McNamara, Perillo, and Durfey
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the disciplines and the integration of fields of agriculture, food production, manufacturing and distribution and rural society to define and solve real-world problems. It is open to all WSU students, and is required for all students in any of the five AFS majors.
Broad Objectives
To give students:
- An introduction to the basic components of many types of agricultural systems, food production and distribution systems.
- An understanding of basic terminology, as well as the various elements of food production (plant and animal), manufacturing, distribution and rural society.
- Development of teamwork, problem identification and solving skills, the ability to speak and write on complex topics, the ability and willingness to listen to others, even in disagreements.
- An understanding of the scientific process and how it applies to improvement, change, and integration of agricultural, food production, food distribution and social structures.
- The ability to integrate knowledge from many sources and disciplines to identify and solve complex problems.
Specific Objectives, Knowledge and Skills Development
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Discuss the definition and components of an integrated agricultural system
- Identify the reasons for using an integrated agricultural systems approach
- Use examples of integrated agricultural systems approach in other fields
- Apply the scientific method in developing and analyzing integrated agricultural systems
- Identify that the properties of a system are different than the properties of the components
- Interpret the connections between specific disciplinary knowledge and the system as a whole
- Discuss the importance of integration of disciplines and human team work in problem-solving, the global food supply and individual careers.