AGRIC 7100WT - Farming Systems in Developing Countries

Waite Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

To be able to work in international agricultural development, a student needs foundational understanding of: what constitutes a farming system; how a farming system in any region is a unique product of climate, soils, economy, and history; how farming systems are dynamic through integration within an ever changing global physical and economic environment; what methods are used to study farming systems; and what international agencies are involved in agricultural development. This course will be delivered through four modules: 1) geography of tropical farming systems; 2) interdisciplinary farming systems research modalities; 3) agencies of international agricultural development; and 4) regional focus. The course will be delivered in a series of tutorials where students are guided through a structured reading list covering Modules 1 to 3. This work will require students to access the most recent research literature relevant to each module. Assessment of this reading will be through short essays based on propositions developed from the reading list during the tutorials. The fourth module affords the student opportunity to apply this new knowledge to a geographic region of their own interest. They will be required to produce either an evaluation of a development project or a regional profile report.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AGRIC 7100WT
    Course Farming Systems in Developing Countries
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description To be able to work in international agricultural development, a student needs foundational understanding of: what constitutes a farming system; how a farming system in any region is a unique product of climate, soils, economy, and history; how farming systems are dynamic through integration within an ever changing global physical and economic environment; what methods are used to study farming systems; and what international agencies are involved in agricultural development. This course will be delivered through four modules: 1) geography of tropical farming systems; 2) interdisciplinary farming systems research modalities; 3) agencies of international agricultural development; and 4) regional focus. The course will be delivered in a series of tutorials where students are guided through a structured reading list covering Modules 1 to 3. This work will require students to access the most recent research literature relevant to each module. Assessment of this reading will be through short essays based on propositions developed from the reading list during the tutorials. The fourth module affords the student opportunity to apply this new knowledge to a geographic region of their own interest. They will be required to produce either an evaluation of a development project or a regional profile report.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Matthew Denton

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate a working knowledge of the importance of geography on farming systems development
    2 Describe and critically analyse tools for the analysis of farming systems
    3 Develop a working knowledge of the overarching institutional context of international agricultural development governance
    4 Apply and synthesise knowledge of the governance, geography and assessment tools in the context of agricultural international development
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1-4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,3,4
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    The course will be delivered in a series of tutorials where students are guided through a structured reading list covering Modules 1 to 3. This work will require students to access the most recent research literature relevant to each module. Assessment of this reading will be through short essays based on propositions developed from the reading list during the tutorials. The fourth module affords the student opportunity to apply this new knowledge to a geographic region of their own interest. They will be required to produce either an evaluation of a development project or a regional profile report.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Mandatory attendance at tutorials and group discussions and final presentation.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment task

    Type of Assessment

    Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes

    Hurdle Yes or No

    Course learning outcomes being assessed / achieved

    (Should be no more than 3)

    Approximate timing of assessment

    (week of teaching period)

    Module 1

    Geography of Farming Systems

    essay

    summative

    20%

    no

    1

    Week 3

    Module 2

    Farming Systems research essay

    summative

    20%

    no

    2, 1

    Week 5

    Module 3

    Institutional governance essay

    summative

    20%

    no

    3, 1

    Week 7

    Module 4

    Regional focus essay

    summative

    30%

    yes

    4, 3

    Week 10

    Module 4

    Regional focus & self-reflection

    Video / oral presentation

    summative

    10%

    no

    4,1, 3

    Week 12

    Assessment Related Requirements
    N/A
    Assessment Detail
    IAD geography essay (20%)
    Students will prepare a 1000 word essay on the geography of farming systems in the first 3 weeks of semester. Develop will be informed by discussion in tutorials in weeks1 to 3.

    Farming systems tools essay (20%)
    Students will prepare a 1000 word essay on the farming systems research in the first 5 weeks of semester. Develop will be informed by discussion in tutorials in weeks 2 to 5.

    IAD governance essay (20%)
    Students will prepare a 1000 word report on the institutional governance in the first 7 weeks of semester. Develop will be informed by discussion in tutorials in weeks 4 to 7.

    Regional focus essay (30%)
    Students will prepare a 2000 word regional focus essay in which they synthesise knowledge of the governance, geography and assessment tools in the context of agricultural international development and apply this to a particular region.

    Case Study Presentation (10%)
    Students will prepare a presentation to summarise the concepts explored in the regional focussed essay.
    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.

  • 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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.