Agroecology Basics
Information from the course leader
Dear all
We are thrilled to have a good number of students signed up to the Agroecology Basics course. The course is a primer to the agroecology MSc program, but some of you may be taking AE Basics as a standalone course. I have now uploaded the time schedule. The schedule getting more complete, with some small things later in the program that may shift/be added. I will notify you of this. From the course start (which is tomorrow as I write this) the course information site will be CANVAS to which you should all have access by tomorrow afternoon (if not let Katarina Lantz know)
Recently, the long-awaited IPCC report has been released. The message is clear: no time to waste if we wish to keep the earth for future generations. Agroecology has important roles to play in the transformation of agroecosystems to. We need bright minds to work together to bring about change ...
Looking forward to meeting you all
Teun
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LB0108-10122 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for LB0108
Academic year 2023/2024
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10045)
2023-08-28 - 2023-10-30
Academic year 2022/2023
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10116)
2022-08-29 - 2022-10-31
Academic year 2020/2021
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10163)
2020-08-31 - 2020-11-01
Academic year 2019/2020
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10010)
2019-09-02 - 2019-10-31
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LB0108 Agroecology Basics, 15.0 Credits
Grunderna i agroekologiSubjects
Horticultural Science Agricultural Science Agricultural science Horticultural scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, including 90 credits in one of the subjects/educational areas Social Science, Natural Science or Technology, and English 6.Objectives
The course aims to provide students with basic and advanced knowledge and the ability to understand human-dominated ecosystems and their interaction/connectivity with the surrounding environment (natural and cultural), with the focus on agriculture systems.
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
describe and critically analyse farming systems, including mutual interactions of socio-economical and biological components,
demonstrate methodological abilities by using a holistic and systemic approach that includes human and local resources in a system.
Content
The course includes:
Principles of systemic thinking and systems analysis, via lectures, scientific literature, case studies, student-led seminars, study visits and student assignments.
Introduction and discussion of different aspects from different disciplines on the production and function of agroecosystems.
On farm implementation of methods used within Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approaches in agroecology (such as semi-structured interviews, transect walks, farm mapping, timeline, resource flow map, group processing and presentations).
Ecological and social conditions for the development of sustainable land use (agroecosystems shaped within several biomes, with different climatic, geological and biological processes and their interactions).
Environmental, social and economic factors that influence the sustainability of agricultural and horticultural production.
Students will be evaluated though 4 compulsory assignments, including a definition of Agroecology, a report on farmer interview, a report on e-case study and a farming system analysis.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
The course will be examined in terms of project work presentation and exercises. To obtain the course credits, approved participation in all course components, approved reports and approved oral presentations will be required.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Plant Protection Biology
Further information
Litterature list
- Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems Författare: Gliessman ISBN: 9781498728461 1498728464 [Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XkrWZtQz3ZLf5Edaf3CI6IxRY97brpfR/view?usp=sharing) Kommentar: This book will be a background reading for course participants to catch up with concepts in agriculture. It provides students with some basic understanding of what constitutes agroecosystems and how to sustainably transform these such that production and ecosystem stability may go hand in hand. A pdf version can be found here:
- Agroecology: the science of sustainable agriculture Författare: Miguel Altierri ISBN: 0-8133-1717-7 [Agroecology: the science of sustainable agriculture] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T30gnx24i5Y7Sva2DaU6CgLwpsDnB0AA/view?usp=sharing) Kommentar: Another book which provides a good background in the origins of agroecology and how to integrate traditional practises and insights and scientific ecological concepts to create more sustainable production systems. Below a link to a pdf version of the book. The book can be bought used for under 500 sek at places.
More info about Altierri can be found on this agroecology website: http://agroeco.org/miguel-altieri/
- Ecological intensification of agriculture - sustainable by nature Författare: Pablo Tittonell [Ecological intensification of agriculture - sustainable by nature] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dq3vG0Ivqid8pv8dXN_2TjpjGWcZzdBH/view?usp=sharing) Kommentar: This is a thoughtful article describing how ecosystem balances are pivotal for functioning cropping systems, and what is needed to produce sustainbly is not sustainable intensification (a hype word the largely covers all agriculture), but ecological intensification, where the primary accent lays on restoring ecosystem functioning to regain ecosystem services.
- Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. A review Författare: Wezel et al. [Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. A review] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_rlqjCGUs-l0Cesb1GoqrA05seye0TC9/view?usp=sharing) Kommentar: An important article in the field of agroecology, which shows the roots and the main concepts of agroecology. The content will come back in the course and will be important in for instance the first assignment.