ASTE 2900 Syllabus SP17
1
School of Applied Sciences, Technology & Education
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Utah State University
Course Title:
Course Number:
Semester Credits:
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Food Matters: Ethics, Economics & the Environment
ASTE 2900 (CRN 10325)
3
Prof. Denise Stewardson
ASTE 101B
435.797.1592
[email protected]
(Note: Emails to instructor must include course number; keep message
professional and free of spelling/grammatical errors.)
UTF:
Maciah Cluff Jenkins
[email protected]
Date:
Spring 2017
Course Schedule: T R 10:30 – 11:45 AM; ASTE 108
Office Hours:
T R 1:00 – 5:00 PM (call or email for appointment)
Course Description
Food Matters provides a broad overview of food systems as they relate to ethical, economic, and
environmental issues. The complex challenges involved with feeding the world's population are
discussed using popular “foodie” media and science-based research. This course meets the
Breadth Social Science (BSS) requirements of USU's General Education Program.
Course Objectives and Outcomes
IDEA Center Learning Objectives
Objective 10: Develop a clearer understanding of, and
commitment to, personal values.
Course Learning Outcomes
 Evaluate the relationship among social, economic,
environmental, political, and ethical issues in the
production, processing, and distribution of food.
 Examine the culture of food.
 Develop personal predictive models on the
probable future of humans in the food web.
Objective 11: Learn to analyze and critically evaluate
ideas, arguments, and points of view.
 Understand the factors that contributed to major
successes and failures of humanity’s historical
interaction with food.
 Evaluate the relationship among social, economic,
environmental, political, and ethical issues in the
production, processing, and distribution of food.
 Distinguish between the truth and exaggeration in
evaluating statements from the media, presenters,
and various experts.
 Demonstrate in writing and oral argument your
understanding of how humans interact with the
world through agriculture.
ASTE 2900 Syllabus SP17
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Course Topics
The Food Web
A Hungry Planet
State of the Planet
Food Waste
The American Farmer
The Global Farmer
Ancient Civilizations and Agriculture
History of American Agriculture
Food Policy, Safety, and Security/Labor
Animal Welfare
Agriculture’s Environmental Impacts
Agricultural Sustainability
Genetically Modified Organisms/Organics
Food and Nutrition
Food in Society and Culture
The Future of Food
Course Resources for Students
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Required: All course materials posted on Canvas for ASTE 2900
Required: Food and Farm Facts booklet (2015). Published by American Farm Bureau.
Purchase for $2.50 at www.utah.agclassroom.org. Search “farm facts” and add to cart;
under “Choose Type of Order” select “For Purchase—Utah Teacher.” Booklets will be
delivered to class.
Required: Access to a Netflix account: January – April 2017
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition, 2010). (Not
required; available at the bookstore and the library reference desk.)
Pinterest board: Food Matters Course http://www.pinterest.com/denisestew/food-matterscourse/ (not required; relevant pins will be shared)
Course Requirements
Each student will:
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3.
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5.
Complete reading and homework assignments by due date.
Thoughtfully and actively participate in class discussions.
Lead a discussion group on an agricultural topic and report the results.
Complete a research project.
Complete midterm and final exam.
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Update your email in Banner in order to receive class announcements.
Please mute or turn off all electronic devices (phones, iPods, etc.) and put them in your
backpack, unless we are using them for class work. If you must use your phone for an
emergency, you need to leave the room.
Laptop/notebook computers and cell phones/iPods can be used for note-taking and
relevant class use; personal use will negatively affect your participation grade.
Remember that each student must complete his or her own work.
Course notes are not posted. If you need notes from a particular class, find a classmate
who is willing to share notes.
Late work is accepted only with an excused absence (see USU Student Code). Absence
due to a university-sanctioned activity must be pre-approved by the instructor.
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ASTE 2900 Syllabus SP17
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Evaluation
The following requirements are used in calculating the final course grade and each will be
weighted as indicated:
Homework, in-class activities, discussion group reports ...........35%
Exams .........................................................................................30%
Research Project .........................................................................25%
Classroom participation ..............................................................10%
Points in each category listed above will be totaled and weighted appropriately. Points for each
assignment are detailed in Canvas. Assignment grades are tentative until those grades are posted
on Canvas.
A
AB+
B
B-
92 – 100%
90 – 91%
88 – 89%
82 – 87%
80 – 81%
C+
C
CD+
D
78 – 79%
72 – 77%
70 – 71%
68 – 69%
60 – 67%
F 59% and below
Academic Integrity—The Honor System
The Honor Pledge: To enhance the learning environment at Utah State University and
to develop student academic integrity, each student agrees to the following Honor Pledge:
“I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity.”
A student who lives by the Honor Pledge is a student who does more than not cheat,
falsify, or plagiarize. A student who lives by the Honor Pledge:
• Espouses academic integrity as an underlying and essential principle of the Utah
State University community;
• Understands that each act of academic dishonesty devalues every degree that is
awarded by this institution; and
• Is a welcomed and valued member of Utah State University.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Students with ADA-documented physical, sensory, emotional or medical
impairments may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. Veterans may also be
eligible for services. All accommodations are coordinated through the Disability
Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn, (435)797-2444. Please
contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format materials (Braille,
large print, digital, or audio) are available with advance notice.
Inclusion Statement
No student is permitted to create a threatening, intimidating, or harassing
environment in this course. Classroom civility is a part of the Student Code, and
infractions will be pursued through the Student Conduct Coordinator. This course will be
conducted in a safe and tolerant environment, and any person who detracts from that
environment will be instructed to leave without the ability to make up coursework.
Instructor is a member of Utah State Allies on Campus.
ASTE 2900 Schedule SP17
1
Week 1
T
1/10
Course Introduction: The Food Web
R
1/12
Food in the News: Faces, Facts, Farces
Week 2
T
1/17
State of the Planet
R
1/19
A Hungry Planet: Feeding 9 Billion
Week 3
T
1/24
Food Waste
R
1/26
U.S. Farm Facts
Week 4
T
1/31
The American Farmer
R
2/02
The Global Farmer
Week 5
T
2/07
Agriculture’s Beginnings: Rise and Fall of Civilizations
R
2/09
Agriculture’s Beginnings: Columbian Exchange
Week 6
T
2/14
History of American Agriculture
R
2/16
History of American Agriculture
Week 7
T
2/21
Monday Class Schedule
R
2/23
History of American Agriculture
Week 8
T
2/28
U.S. Food Policy, Safety, and Security; Exam Review
R
3/02
Midterm Exam
ASTE 2900 Schedule SP17
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Week 9
3/06-10
Spring Break
Week 10
T
3/14
Review of Research Project; Agricultural Labor Relations
R
3/16
Animal Welfare; Research Topic Due
Week 11
T
3/21
Agriculture’s Impact on Environmental Resources
R
3/23
Agricultural Sustainability
Week 12
T
3/28
Genetically Modified Organisms/Organics; Problem Statement Due
R
3/30
Genetically Modified Organisms/Organics
Week 13
T
4/04
Research Project: In-class group discussions
R
4/06
Research Project: In-class group discussions; assign peer reviewers
Week 14
T
4/11
Nutrition
R
4/13
Nutrition
Week 15
T
4/18
Food in Society and Culture
R
4/20
Future of Food; Final Exam Prep
Week 16
T
4/25
Presentation of Research Projects
R
4/27
Presentation of Research Projects
Final
R
5/04
Final Exam: 11:30 AM – 1:20 PM; ASTE 108