Agroecology Basics
Through field studies, discussions and literature studies, the students explore basic principles and characteristics of agroecosystems, as open and interactive systems,. The course focuses on agroecosystems as integrated social and natural systems in constant change. Description of environmental factors, farming practices and socio-economic conditions that influence the sustainability of agricultural and horticultural production and livelihoods of farmers will be presented. Tools for understanding and developing such integrated systems, and methods for evaluating the production and performance of such systems, will be employed. The course is part of the Agroecology Master.
Information from the course leader
Dear students,
Welcome to the Agroecology Basics course at SLU Alnarp. Whether you take the course as a single course or as part of the MSc in Agroecology, we are looking forward to meeting you. For those of you who will enroll in the Agroecology program, please note the roll call on Monday morning 10.30-11.30 in Östan (Agricum building). We will give you further information on the MSc program and you will meet some of the support group. For those of you only taking the course, we hope to see you in Articum 1, on Tuesday afternoon 13.15. I attach the preliminary course schedule. From Tuesday, we will use CANVAS only as a course communication platform. On this site the most recent schedule and updates will be posted, so update yourself via Canvas at the start of a day.
The course literature will be posted too. For now, you can read/watch the following:
- Gliessman, S. R. 2015. Agroecology: the Ecology of Sustainable Food systems. CRC Press. (Chapter 1 and 2).
- Gliessman, FAO video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtc2mQfKwHY
- Tittonel, P. Feeding the world with Agroecology - TEDxEde 2014 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvxi4mN-Za0)
- Altieri, M. Agroecology and Climate Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjx7kWGSFbk)
- La Via Campesina. A fight for food sovereignty. (https://tv.viacampesina.org/La-Via-Campesina-in-movement-Food?lang=fr)
- Wezel et al. 2009. Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practise. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 29: 503-515.
Further: on the second day of the course (Aug 30) we will spend some time to get to know everyone of you. In preparation of that you will make a 1 min video, and a creative picture of you (loosely in the sense of a rich picture). If you wish, you can make the video and drawing (preferred A2 format) already now. It can be as creative as you wish, but should introduce who you are, background, your biggest drive to taking the course, and what you hope to get out of the course/program.
Cheers,
Teun Dekker
Course Leader and Director of Studies
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LB0108-10045 - 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 2024/2025
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10027)
2024-09-02 - 2024-10-31
Academic year 2022/2023
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10116)
2022-08-29 - 2022-10-31
Academic year 2021/2022
Agroecology Basics (LB0108-10122)
2021-08-30 - 2021-11-01
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 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 assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a 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