Course Description

Students will travel abroad and engage with agricultural and environmental industries to further enhance their conceptualization of science communication practices. Students will create, reflect, and refine their ability to professionally and effectively translate science within agricultural and environmental industries into meaningful content to be shared with the public.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will participate in faculty-led discussions while applying relevant peer-reviewed literature from agricultural and environmental science communication sources to solidify their conceptualization of the field. Also, graduate students will refine their research skills related to international agricultural and environmental science issues to poignantly present their views to the class and faculty with an additional project.

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Athena Title

Community Communication

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Non-Traditional Format

Students in this course will participate in a study abroad experience focused on agricultural and environmental science communication. This course uses experiential learning as the primary pedagogical tool for teaching the course objectives. The course will be taught in a flexible and hands-on learning environment, utilizing the direct experiences in-country to demonstrate and practice skills taught in the class. This course is an experiential learning course, where approximately 90 - 100% of instructional time will be conducted in-country and in different learning environments.

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Semester Course Offered

Offered summer semester every even-numbered year.

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to effectively translate scientific information into various communication media.
• Students will be able to identify and critically reflect upon the dissemination and implementation of science-based information within the agricultural and environmental industries.
• Students will develop strategies to engage the public with science topics related to agricultural and environmental issues.

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Topical Outline

• a) Days 1–2: Travel b) Day 3: 8 hours (480 contact minutes) of instruction and program preparation c) Days 4–8: 2 hours of instruction (120 contact minutes) and 24 hours of fieldwork/experiential learning (720 contact minutes) for work on the project d) Day 9: 4 hours (240 contact minutes) of class discussion and reflection on the status of the course and project e) Day 10: Student reflection and project work time (60 minutes) f) Days 11–15: 2 hours of instruction (120 contact minutes) and 24 hours of fieldwork/experiential learning (720 contact minutes) for work on the project g) Day 16: 4 hours (240 contact minutes) of class discussion and reflection regarding wrap-up and submission of all project assignments h) Days 17–18: Travel home

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Institutional Competencies

Creativity & Innovation

The capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.

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Syllabus

Select Faculty / Instructor to download syllabus:   Holt, Jessica

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