AGRIBUS 3059 - Experiences and Insights in Agri-food Systems

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course is targeted to students who want to gain practical experience with leading agribusiness firms in South Australia. Students will be introduced to some key principles around understanding value chains & industry networks, focusing on end consumers & market requirements, innovation, business to business collaboration & competition and an overview of the South Australian food industry. On the field trips to a variety of local agribusiness firms, senior company managers will present on their business strategy, challenges and opportunities, before allowing interactive discussion and questions from the students. This course is designed to give students a competitive edge by not just explaining the background theory but by exposing them to the practicalities of running a successful agribusiness firm in today's global marketplace.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AGRIBUS 3059
    Course Experiences and Insights in Agri-food Systems
    Coordinating Unit Centre for Global Food & Resources
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assumed Knowledge Level III study
    Restrictions Available for Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology students only
    Quota Due to bus logistical constraints, no more than 20 students in UG & PG courses
    Assessment Assignments, presentation, engagement
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Craig Johns

    Name: Dr Craig Johns
    Role: Course Coordinator
    Location: Level 6, Nexus 10
    Telephone: 8313 6765
    Email: craig.johns@adelaide.edu.au

    Name: Mr Theo Simos
    Role: Lecturer
    Location: Level 6, Nexus 10
    Telephone: 83139135
    Email: theo.simos@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Identify the nature of business challenges and opportunities;
    2. Communicate research findings in a professional relevant manner (written and oral);
    3. Recognise and articulate 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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-3

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1-3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There are no specified learning resources required for the course. A student handout will be provided to students, along with recommended prereadings in preparation for the course. Students are also provided additional information related to the businesses being visited so they can have an understanding of their position in the wider industry in order to prompt questions, seek information relating to their assignment and maximise their learnings while on the course.
    Recommended Resources
    * See MyUni for an up to date list of suggested prereading documents

    * Students will also need to research each of the companies we are visiting by reviewing their company websites and social media
    accounts.
  • 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 Activity Lecture Notes and Topics Learning Outcomes
    1 Lecture Course overview. Introduction to the principles of understanding value chains & industry networks, focusing on end consumers & market requirements, innovation, business to business collaboration and competition and an overview of the South Australian food industry. 1
    2,3,4 Field visits Agribusiness tours, company presentations on their business strategies, challenges and opportunities ahead of interactive discussions and questions from students. These days are extremely full, with some starting very early. 1, 2
    5 Lecture Students must interpret the experience and insights gained in the field through group presentations. Introduction here of the written assessment. 1
  • 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 Task Type Due Length Weighting Learning Outcome
    Active participation Individual ongoing N/A 10% 1, 2
    Group presentations Collaborative Friday session 30% 1-3
    Written assignment Individual CBO Friday, 3 weeks
    after group
    presentations
    2000 words Maximum 60% 1-3
    Total 100%
    Assessment Detail
    Details of specific assessment criteria will be provided and discussed in class.

    Active participation
    Students must actively participate in all stages of the course, from the lectures to field visits and as part of their presentations. This is assessed on an individual basis.

    Group presentation
    Students will be assigned to a small group at the beginning of the course and work with their group members throughout the course to prepare for the final day group presentation.

    Written assignment
    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
    Assignments must be submitted in:

    1. Softcopy through Turnitin on MyUni

    Your assignment MUST include the GF assignment cover sheet which can be downloaded from MyUni under “Assignments”. Each page must be numbered with your student ID and name.

    All assignments must be presented professionally with clear headings, appropriate referencing and using one and a half spacing.

    Extensions will only be granted if requests are received in writing to the course coordinator at least 24 hours before the final due date unless they are requested on medical or compassionate grounds and are supported by appropriate documents.

    Please contact the course coordinator, preferably by email, at any time to make an appointment for assistance or guidance in relation to course work, assignments or any concerns that may arise. Assignments will normally be returned two weeks after they have been submitted.
    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.