Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective
Lectures take up environmental, economic and social issues of agricultural production systems and give you insights in impacts of such systems. You will learn about qualitative systems analysis methods and train yourself in Systems Thinking.
The course includes several individual and group tasks that will guide you from a system´s perspective to a detailed focus on production steps. Some tasks will give you and your study mates the opportunity to explore production systems of your own choice.
You will describe and analyse production systems and compare and evaluate the sustainability of these systems. This will train your skills in presentation, make you familiar with relevant terms and encourage you to develop critical thinking. After the course, you will be able to identify and weigh environmental, social and economic impacts, structure the assessment of production system and adjust your argumentation based on your critical analysis of information, which we believe will be required of you in your profession.
Information from the course leader
Dear students!
Welcome to the VT2021 course on Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective!
Please check the Canvas course page for more information, e.g. on th egrading criteria. The schedule will be updated here.
The course will be given as online course this year. The course leader will send you the zoom links and pass codes seperately.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
BI1192-30264 - 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 BI1192
Academic year 2019/2020
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30064)
2020-01-20 - 2020-03-24
Academic year 2018/2019
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30066)
2019-01-21 - 2019-03-25
Academic year 2017/2018
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30077)
2018-01-15 - 2018-03-25
Academic year 2016/2017
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30093)
2017-01-16 - 2017-03-26
Academic year 2015/2016
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30004)
2016-01-18 - 2016-03-27
Academic year 2014/2015
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30214)
2015-01-19 - 2015-03-29
Academic year 2013/2014
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30164)
2014-01-20 - 2014-03-30
Academic year 2012/2013
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective (BI1192-30179)
2013-01-21 - 2013-03-31
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
BI1192 Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective, 15.0 Credits
Sustainable Production Systems in a Global PerspectiveSubjects
Agricultural Science Biology Biology Agricultural scienceEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelAdvanced study in the main field
First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G2F)
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
Qualifications equivalent to 120 hp, of which 60 hp in Agricultural Science or Biology.Objectives
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
describe the scope and conditions for the production of food and bioenergy in different countries.
describe the current situation for production of food and bioenergy in different countries.
evaluate how landscape and urban environments affect, permit and promote production on both large and small scale globally.
describe and discuss sustainability in production systems and the supply of food and bioenergy
compare and evaluate the conditions and competitive ability for a biobased economy of different countries
evaluate the international market for various products from the agricultural and horticultural sector.
Content
The course deals with and discusses the biological/ecological, environmental, climate-related, technological, economic, political and social conditions for globally sustainable (socially, ecologically, economically) production of food and bioenergy. Business and trade in goods and services are also dealt with. The course covers:
The biological, technological and economic conditions for agricultural production in different parts of the world
The most important characterising factors within production systems in different parts of the world
Review of the current situation for farming and farmers in different parts of the world.
Global climate and environmental effects, e.g. water management, greenhouse gases and erosion
International agricultural and horticultural policy and trade
Food consumption in different countries from a sustainability perspective
The course takes the form of lectures/discussions, case studies in groups and project assignments.
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
Approved written and oral reporting of case studies and project assignments and participation in compulsory components.
- 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.
Transitional provisions
• Exams: At least three retake sessions (renewed exams) will be offered within two years of the decision to discontinue the course. • Compulsory components: At least one opportunity for a retake session will be offered within two years of the decision to discontinue the course.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.
Further information
Grading criteria
Examination tasks, spring semester 2021
Exam. task |
Task name in grading criteria |
Task name in schedule and Canvas |
Learning outcomes |
Examination time (Course week) |
Examination form |
Grades |
1 |
Group task |
Comparing regions |
1, 2, 3 |
W 2 |
Presentation, written text (about 2 A4 pages), cross-reading report |
U/3 |
2 |
Reading seminar |
Reading seminar Living Planet Report |
1, 4 |
W 2-3 |
Hand in 3 questions/comments, active participation during seminar |
U/3 |
3 |
Reading seminar |
Reading seminar Planet boundaries |
1,4 |
W 4 |
Hand in 3 questions/comments, active participation during seminar |
U/3 |
4 |
Group task |
Comparing production systems |
1, 2, 4 |
W 4 |
Presentation, written text (about 2 A4 pages), cross-reading report |
U/3 |
5 |
Group case study
|
Group e-case |
1, 3, 4, 5 |
W 7 |
PPT-presentation, active participation at presentation |
U/3/4 |
6 |
PhD student presentation day |
Sustainable production from an international research perspective |
4, 5 |
W 5 |
Active participation in presentation discussions and giving feedback |
U/3 |
7 |
Individual essay |
Individual essay |
4, 5, 6 |
W 9 (Starting document W 3) |
Scientific essay |
U/3/4/5 |
You should also hand in cross-reading reports on:
(1) Comparing regions report (one cross-reading report per group)
(2) Comparing production systems hand-out (one cross-reading report per group)
Blooms |
2-4 |
2 |
2 |
4-6 |
6 |
6 |
Learning outcomes |
Analyse and describe the scope and conditions for the production of food, feed, materials and energy in different countries |
Describe the current situation for production of food, feed, materials and energy in different countries |
Describe and discuss sustainability in production systems and the supply of food, feed, materials and energy |
Compare and evaluate the conditions and competitive ability of different production systems |
Evaluate how landscape and urban environments affect, permit and promote production of food, feed, materials and energy on both large and small scale globally |
Evaluate the international market for food, feed, materials and energy products from the agricultural and horticultural sector |
Course items |
•Individual essay •Reading seminars •Group e-case study •task comparing regions •Group task comparing production systems |
•Individual essay •Group task comparing regions •Group task comparing production systems |
•Individual essay •Reading seminars •Group e-case study •PhD presentation day |
•Individual essay •Group e-case study •PhD presentation day |
•Individual essay •Group e-case study |
•Individual essay |
Quality criteria |
|
|
The work shows excellent performance in |
The work shows excellent performance in describing and evaluating basic production factors, market availability and trade systems |
The work shows excellent performance in analysing, describing and discussing how a specific site is part of a larger context and the complexity of factor interaction |
The individual essay shows excellent performance in detailed explanation, reflection and discussion on interactions between market and production |
Quality criteria |
The work shows •very good performance in analysis and sound judgement, and •good ability to reflect and discuss the important production systems characteristics |
|
The work shows very good performance in •applying the sustainability dimensions in descriptions of production and •discussing food, feed, material and energy security |
The work shows very good performance in describing and evaluating basic production factors, market availability and trade systems |
The work shows very good performance in analysing, describing and discussing how a specific site is part of a larger context and the complexity of factor interaction |
The individual essay shows very good performance in detailed explanation, reflection and discussion on interactions between market and production |
Quality criteria |
The work shows •satisfactory performance in analysis and sound judgement, and •satisfactory ability to discuss the important production systems characteristics |
The work shows satisfactory performance in •identifying production factors in countries and regions •collecting and analysing data •presenting results in a clear and logical way |
The work shows satisfactory performance in •applying the sustainability dimensions in descriptions of production and •discussing food, feed, material and energy security |
The work shows satisfactory performance in describing and evaluating basic production factors, market availability and trade systems |
The work shows very good performance in analysing, describing and discussing how a specific site is part of a larger context and the complexity of factor interaction |
The individual essay shows satisfactory performance in detailed explanation, reflection and discussion on interactions between market and production |
To pass the course the student must participate in all compulsory activities:
- Course introduction
- Start-up of group work comparing regions
- Cross group presentation of comparing regions task
- Start-up of individual essay
- Start-up of group work comparing production systems
- Reading seminar Living Planet report
- PPT-presentation, comparing production systems
- Reading seminar Planet boundaries
- Oral e-case presentation
- Research presentation day
- Course evaluation
Advisory template for final course grade
Group case study grade |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Individual case study grade |
5 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
Final grade* |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
*To get the final course grade 4 or 5:
- All tasks must have been handed in according to the time plan for each task (given in the schedule).
- The student must also have participated in all compulsory activities at the date when they were scheduled in the course schedule (except in cases where the student has a valid reason for not participating)
- For students who have missed a compulsory activity for a valid reason, the course examiner or course leader will decide upon a solution and a new date when the student must fulfil these requirements to get a grade 4 or 5.
- For students who have missed a compulsory activity for a non-valid reason, the general rule is that the student will have to participate in the activity the following year. In some cases it might be possible to find other solutions.
Litterature list
- The world of agricultural economics: an introduction Författare: Martiin, Carin [The world of agricultural economics: an introduction] (https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/slub-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1170349) Kommentar: Reading instructions:
Background knowledge: Chapters 1, 2, 10-12, 20 and 21
Mechanisation lectures: Chapters 3,5, 17, 18
Production chain assignment: Chapters 4, 13-16
Comparing regions assignment: Chapters 6-9
Farm e-case assignement: Chapters 17-19
Individual assignement: Chapter 19
- Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet Författare: Steffen W. et al [Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet] (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/347/6223/1259855) Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Debate: What good are planetary boundaries? Författare: Lalasz, B [Debate: What good are planetary boundaries?] (https://blog.nature.org/science/2013/03/25/debate-what-good-are-planetary-boundaries/) Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Mixed crop-livestock systems: an economic and environmental-friendly way of farming? Författare: Ryschawy, J. et al [Mixed crop-livestock systems: an economic and environmental-friendly way of farming?] (https://doi.org/10.1017/s1751731112000675) Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Energy and the food system Författare: Woods J. et al [Energy and the food system] (https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0172) Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Farm mechanization: a new challenge for agriculture in low and middle income countries of Europe and Central Asia. Regional review Författare: World Bank Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Living Planet Report 2020. Bending the curve of biodiversity loss Författare: WWF [Living Planet Report 2020. Bending the curve of biodiversity loss] (https://wwwwwfse.cdn.triggerfish.cloud/uploads/2020/09/lpr20_full-report_pages.pdf) Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Future Agriculture – five scenarios for 2050. Conditions for agriculture and land use Författare: Öborn, I. et al [Future Agriculture – five scenarios for 2050. Conditions for agriculture and land use] (https://www.slu.se/centrumbildningar-och-projekt/futurefood/publikationer/framtidens-lantbruk/five-scenarios-for-2050--conditions-for-agriculture-and-land-use/) Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- From uniformity to diversity, A paradigm shift from industrial agriculture to diversified agroecological systems Författare: FAO, International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) [From uniformity to diversity, A paradigm shift from industrial agriculture to diversified agroecological systems] (http://www.ipes-food.org/_img/upload/files/UniformityToDiversity_FULL.pdf) Kommentar: Available in Canvas
- Shifting diets. Toward a sustainable food future Författare: Lipinski et al. [Shifting diets. Toward a sustainable food future] (https://ebrary.ifpri.org/utils/getfile/collection/p15738coll2/id/130216/filename/130427.pdf) Kommentar: Available in Canvas
- Guidelines for environmental quantification of nutrient flows and impact assessment in livestock supply chains Författare: FAO Kommentar: Available in Canvas
- Sustainability. A biological perspective Författare: Morse, Stephen [Sustainability. A biological perspective] (http://site.ebrary.com/lib/slub/docDetail.action?docID=10399273)1) The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought Författare: Cordell, D., Drangert, J.-O. and White, S. [The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought] (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2008.10.009)1) SAFA Guidelines, Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems. Version3.0 Författare: FAO [SAFA Guidelines, Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems. Version3.0] (http://www.fao.org/nr/sustainability/sustainability-assessments-safa/en/)1) Sustainability pathways, 12 issue fact sheets Författare: FAO [Sustainability pathways, 12 issue fact sheets] (<http://www.fao.org/nr/sustainability/fact-sheets/en/ >)1) High-level expert forum – how to feed the world in 2050 Författare: FAO Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Climate-Smart” Agriculture. Policies, Practices and Financing for Food Security, Adaptation and Mitigation Författare: FAO Kommentar: Available via Canvas
- Solutions for a cultivated planet Författare: Foley, J.A. et al [Solutions for a cultivated planet] (https://www.nature.com/articles/nature10452)1) A safe operating space for humanity Författare: Rockström [A safe operating space for humanity] (https://www.nature.com/articles/461472a) Kommentar: Available via Canvas