Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems
Entry Requirements
Course facts
- Course name
- Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems
- Swedish course name
- Agroekologi: Att arbeta med komplexitet i lantbruksystem
- Level
- Second cycle (A1N)
- Main field of study
- Agricultural Science
- Credits
- 7.5 credits
- Rate of study
- 50 %
- Study location
- Location Independant
- Form of instruction
- Distance learning without in-person meetings
- Application code
- SLU-30163
- Course code
- LB0121
- Course language
- English
- Included in program
-
Agriculture and Business ManagementAgriculture and Rural DevelopmentAgriculture and Food ScienceAgriculture and EconomicsAgriculture Programme - Economics and ManagementAgriculture Programme - Rural DevelopmentAgriculture Programme - FoodAgriculture Programme - Soil/PlantAgriculture and Plant/Soil SciencesAgricultural Science with a Specialisation in Economics and Business AdministrationAgricultural Science with a Specialisation in Rural DevelopmentAgricultural Science with a Specialisation in Food ScienceAgricultural Science with a Specialisation in Plant and Soil Sciences
- Offered as a freestanding course
- Ja
- Tuition fee
-
19030 SEK
Tuition fees only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens
Welcome to the Agroecology online course 2026!
**Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems (SLU: LB0121; **NMBU: PAE301; HU: AEKO301)
Course dates: 19 January – 23 March 2026
This online course is based on real case studies of agroecological systems in different parts of the Global South and North. This is a 7.5 credits course on 50% speed. Even if this is a fully online course, we have delivery deadlines that will require your attention. All communication is conducted through Canvas.
Please note that this course uses a student-centred learning approach, meaning group work over internet, no use of recorded or live lectures, use of peer feedback and reflective exercises (e.g reflective diary) throughout the whole course.
This is a unique course based on a long-term collaboration between SLU, NMBU in Norway, KU in Denmark, and HU in Helsinki. The possibility to share experiences and knowledge with students from other Nordic universities has been greatly appreciated by our students.
In this course, you will learn an approach to work systemically with complex farming situations. You will not only learn how to systemically analyse a particular farm case study, but also practice methods for describing and analysing the case and its goals, as well as train in analysing and suggesting improvements. Using the case, you will have the opportunity to explore the complexity of agroecology using concepts such as systems, multi-functionality and ecosystem services.
The course is divided into 7 modules running for approximately two months. The course will include group assignments over internet as well as individual work. Key readings will be given in all modules to help support the learning activities with theoretical information.
The course schedule will be published one month before course start in Canvas, but be prepared for a compulsory Zoom session at 10:00 Swedish time on the first day of the course.
Note: If you don't have access to the course schedule in Canvas, please contact the course leader Margarita.Cuadra@slu.se
**Contact: **Margarita Cuadra (course leader) margarita.cuadra@slu.se or Theresé Engvall (vice-course leader) therese.engvall@slu.se
LB0121, Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems, 7.5 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: PN - NJ, 2020-12-10
Valid from : Spring semester 2022 (2022-01-17)
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Agricultural Science
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.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
Objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students interested in global development with an introduction to the analysis of complex farming systems.
After completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- apply a systemic agroecological approach to a complex farming system;
- recognize the steps needed to understand and improve a complex farming system;
- identify and use suitable methods at the different steps of a systemic approach;
- engage in a constructive peer feedback process;
- reflect on their own learning and on group dynamics based on the course experiences.
Content
In this course students learn an approach to work systemically with complex farming situations. The course is based on real farm cases in different parts of the Global South and North. The students learn about and practice methods for describing and analysing a case and its goals, and will train in analysing and suggesting improvements.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Passed written assignments, project work and contributions to group discussions over the Internet.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Urban and Rural Development
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Agriculture and Business Management
- Agriculture and Rural Development
- Agriculture and Food Science
- Agriculture and Economics
- Agriculture Programme - Economics and Management
- Agriculture Programme - Rural Development
- Agriculture Programme - Food
- Agriculture Programme - Soil/Plant
- Agriculture and Plant/Soil Sciences
- Agricultural Science with a Specialisation in Economics and Business Administration
- Agricultural Science with a Specialisation in Rural Development
- Agricultural Science with a Specialisation in Food Science
- Agricultural Science with a Specialisation in Plant and Soil Sciences
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
The Course Replaces
LB0082, LU0089
Other Information
The course is given fully online.
academic year 2024/2025
Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems (LB0121-30171)
2025-03-17 - 2025-04-07
academic year 2023/2024
Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems (LB0121-30312)
2024-03-12 - 2024-04-02
academic year 2022/2023
Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems (LB0121-30110)
2023-02-08 - 2023-03-01
academic year 2021/2022
Agroecology: Working with the complexity of farming systems (LB0121-30219)
2022-02-10 - 2022-03-03
Contact
- Course coordinator
- Margarita Cuadra
- Examiner
- Margarita Cuadra