Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    ENVAG

 Course #:    101

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    010308

 EPC:    127

 REV:    2021

 Course Description  

Survey of agroecology, a multi-disciplinary field that applies ecological principles to the analysis and management of agriculture systems. Explore ways to create abundance and reduce external inputs by enhancing nutrient cycling, energy flow, and beneficial interactions. Field trips are an integral part of this course.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: None.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the ecological principles that support agroecosystems, and compare the ecology and economy of agroecosystem landscapes at different scales.
2. Describe the biological, physical, and chemical factors that affect plant growth and reproduction and how these factors are managed for agricultural production, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.
3. Examine conventional and alternative agricultural paradigms and practices from an agroecological perspective, and incorporate analyses of system productivity, resiliency, diversity, and equitability.
4. Assess the challenges and opportunities encountered when developing and managing sustainable urban and small farm agriculture systems.
5. Discuss the ways in which socioeconomic, cultural, and political dynamics influence local and global food systems.
6. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Define agriculture, agronomy, and agroecology, and use examples to highlight the differences among the three terms.
7. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Use Land Equivalency Ratios and simple algebra to demonstrate advantages to intercropping over monocultures for crop yields, for crop prices and for crop costs.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2018 and affects outlines for 2019 and later.

Integrate

Definition: Apply knowledge, skills, and methodologies from multiple disciplines.

Engage

Definition: Interact with humans and the environment informed by an understanding of equity.

Course Contents

1. Ecological principles that support agroecosystems, and compare the ecology and economy of agroecosystem landscapes at different scales.
2. Biological, physical, and chemical factors that affect plant growth and reproduction and how these factors are managed for agricultural production, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.
3. Conventional and alternative agricultural paradigms and practices from an agroecological perspective, and incorporate analyses of system productivity, resiliency, diversity, and equitability.
4. How socioeconomic, cultural, and political dynamics influence local and global food systems.
5. Challenges and opportunities encountered when developing and managing sustainable urban and small farm agriculture systems.