AGRIBUS 7031 - Topics in Agricultural Business B
North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code AGRIBUS 7031 Course Topics in Agricultural Business B Coordinating Unit Centre for Global Food & Resources Term Winter Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Week-long intensive Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites Must have completed 1 semester in GFAB Assumed Knowledge Basic business principles assumed, but not necessary Quota 20 due to bus logistical constraints. Preference given to existing GFAB students Assessment Written assignments and one on one meetings Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Mr Craig Johns
Name: Mr. Craig Johns Email: craig.johns@adelaide.edu.au Location: Nexus 10 - Level 5 - Room 5.03 Phone: 8313 6765 (email preferred) Office Hours: By appointment Expert Guest Lecturers: Mr. Theo Simos
Dr. Susan NelleCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Identify and interpret the nature of business challenges and opportunities 2 Communicate research findings in a professionally relevant manner (written and oral) 3 Differentiate the characteristics of different business strategies and the variability associated with agribusiness value chains University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,3 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1,3 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,2,3 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1,2,3 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,2,3 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 2 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1,2,3 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Reading list:
* Fearne A. 2009, Sustainable Food and Wine Value Chains (final report), Government of South Australia, Adelaide. http://www.thinkers.sa.gov.au/thinkers/fearne/report.aspx
* Select a few more
The reading list contains insufficient studies: Students are expected to read widely including agribusiness and general business journals, Australian government, industry association and company websites as well as recent newspapers to get background on Australian agribusiness. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course will involve a structured lecture format on day 1 to introduce themes and explain the structure of the week. The following 3 days will be spent in the field visiting and interacting with local agribusiness firms. The final day will include small group presentations and an introduction to the written assignment.
In addition to the formal contact time, students will need to allocate non-contact time for a range of activities which may include, but are not limited to; suggested readings, assessment tasks, note taking, revision, research and informal discussions with other students.
Active participation by all students in discussions, asking questions and debating issues and ideas will be a vital part of the learning experience of all students. This course has been designed to encourage and facilitate students not only learning from their readings and the lecturer but also from each other and the businesses visited.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Students in this course are expected to attend all classes throughout the intensive week long course and to do the background reading and assignment tasks. Overall, student should expect to devote a minimum of 40 contact hours and 120 non contact hours to study in this course.Learning Activities Summary
DAY FORMAT LECTURE NOTES AND TOPIC 1 Classroom Course overview. Introduction to the principles of understanding value chains & industry networks, focusing on end consumers & market requirements, business to business collaboration & competition and an overview of the South Australian food industry. 2,3,4 Field visits Agribusiness tours, company presentations on their business strategy, challenges and opportunities before allowing interactive discussion and questions from the students. 5 Classroom Summarise and interpret the experience and insights gained in the field through group presentations. Introduction of written assignment. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
ASSESSMENT TASK COLLABORATIVE/
INDIVIDUALWEIGHTING WORD COUNT/TIME DUE DATE LEARNING OUTCOME Active participation individual 10% N/A 1,2,3 Group presentations collaborative 30% N/A Friday session 1,2,3 Written Assignment individual 60% 2000 words or less COB Friday, 3 weeks after group presentation 1,2,3 Assessment Detail
Details of specific assessment criteria will be provided and discussed in class.
Active participation
The active participation will be assessed across the 5 day intensive course with particular attention on the field days to gauge the interaction and understanding of the students during group discussions and question time.
It is expected that all students will:
1. ask thoughtful and informed questions
2. share their own knowledge and experiences with other students through discussion and debate
3. listen attentively and respectfully to others when they speak
4. use appropriate and respectful language when speaking to others
Participation will not be assessed on quantity other than to the extent that everyone is expected to contribute to discussions on a daily basis. Rather evidence of reflection, readings, interpretation, evaluation and analysis will be valued.
Group presentation
The group presentations will be assessed on the collaborative effort of the group. Specifically groups will be assessed on whether the group worked effectively in collaboration, the content of the presentation and how it is professionally communicated back to the class.
Written assignment
The written assignment will be a take-home individual assessment designed to gauge how well students have understood the concepts presented and interpreted the information from the agribusinesses involved.
The written assignment will be in the form of a report based on observations during the field trip, comparing theory and practice, and may draw on students’ relevant experience.Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
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