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

Course literature (available in Canvas at course start)

Key readings:

1. Armson, R. 201 Growing Wings on the Way: Systems Thinking for Messy Situations. Triarchy Press Limited, 2011. Chapters 3, 4 and pages 149-153.
2. Gliessman, S. R. 2015. Agroecology. The ecology of food systems. Third edition. CRC Press. 371 pp. Chapters 1, 2, 24, 25, 26.
3. Holland, J. 2007. Tools for institutional, political, and social analysis of policy reform: a sourcebook for development practitioners.
4. Geir Lieblein, Edvin Østergaard & Charles Francis. 200 Becoming an Agroecologist through Action Education. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 2:3, 147-153, https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2009684574
5. Wells, S. 2006. Force Field Analysis. Mini-Tutorial Quality Management. 4 p.
6. Wilson, J. 1992. Changing Agriculture. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, pp.80 (pages in the course: 7-15, 24-26, 36-38 and 40-54).

Additional readings:

1. Berry, W. 1990. The Pleasure of Eating. In: Robert Clark (Ed) Our Sustainable Table, North Point Press, 1990.
2. Kloppenburg et al., (1996). Coming in to the Foodshed. Agriculture and Human Values. 13, 33-4
3. IPES-Food. 2016. From uniformity to diversity: a paradigm shift from industrial agriculture to diversified agroecological systems. International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food systems. www.ipes-food.org