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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Sustainable Agriculture
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Course Prefix & Number:
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AGCR 1371
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Section Number:
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400
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Semester/Year:
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Spring 2018
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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32
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Lab Hours:
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32
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
Introduction to history, principles, and practices of sustainable agriculture as applied to local and global agriculture. A comparison and evaluation of sustainability of conventional agricultural practices will be made from the environmental, economic, and social perspectives ("planet, profit, and people"). Case studies and other tools will be used to relate principles of sustainable agriculture to basic farming practices.
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Course Prerequisite(s):
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
There is no textbook for this course. Readings from various sources will be posted on Canvas.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Stephen Nystrand
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth campus,
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Telephone Number:
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608-772-2392
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E-mail Address:
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snystrand@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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5:30-6:30 PM
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5:30-6:30 PM
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Please contact me to make office appointments. I am rarely on campus, but I will accommodate all requests I can.
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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· Develop farm plans for agricultural production that apply environmental, economic, and social sustainability practices.
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· Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various sustainable agriculture production systems.
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· Apply sustainable production techniques in growing and maintaining crops and agricultural products.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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Exams
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300 points (3 @ 100 points each)
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Participation
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100 points
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Fieldtrip Reports
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100 points (3 @ 33.3… points each)
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Crop Report
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100 points
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Book Report
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100 points
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE
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Assignment
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Due Date
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Fieldtrip Reports
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2/14
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3/21
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4/25
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Crop Report
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3/29
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Book Report
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5/3
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Exams
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3/1
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4/5
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5/10
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GRADED ELEMENT DESCRIPTIONS
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Participation
Horticulture and agricultural education are, by necessity, interactive. Students will be expected to participate in classroom discussions, field trips, and hands-on lab activities. Successful discussions require students to complete assigned readings and arrive prepared to make an informed contribution. On fieldtrips, students must come prepared to gather and record useful information. Lab activities may include tool handling and use. As always, students should keep lab settings clean and organized, and observe all relevant safety procedures.
Students who participate in activities and who take the initiative required during class will earn participation rewards. Students not participating and taking the required initiative during labs will not earn these participation rewards. If a student misses a class, regardless of excuse, the participation rewards for that class cannot be earned, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book. There are no make-up classes. Participation points must be earned, not just by attending, but by actively engaging in lab activities and coming to class prepared.
Fieldtrips
50% of this class is scheduled as field study. We will take a number of field trips to local farms and other agricultural enterprises. If inclement weather results in cancellation, the instructor will contact all students as promptly as possible. Students are expected to attend all field trips and arrive at the class van on time for departure: If a student is not in the van by the time class starts, the instructor will not wait. There are no make-up fieldtrips. If a student misses a fieldtrip, regardless of excuse, zero points will be earned for that trip.
Information discussed on fieldtrips will be covered on exams, in addition to fieldtrip reports. Notetaking is strongly encouraged.
Please be courteous to our hosts, who have taken time from their busy schedules to show us their properties. Respect all private property and observe common-sense safety around all farm machinery, animals, etc.
Fieldtrip Reports
After each fieldtrip, students will have one week to submit through Canvas a report of the information gathered. The instructor will provide a questionnaire prior to each trip for students to use as a reference and guide. Fieldtrip reports should address the questionnaire and any other important information noted.
Lecture Exams
The lecture exams will include all notes, discussions from lecture, fieldtrips, labs, videos, and reading assignments. Lecture tests are not cumulative. Exam questions will be multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay. If an exam is missed, a zero will be recorded in the grade book. There are no make-up exams.
Crop Reports
Each student will research and present a short (20-minute) report on a crop, animal, or product. The instructor will provide crop suggestions, but students may select others. Presentations will include a visual component, prepared discussion, and written research bibliography. If a student misses the due date for the presentation and report, a zero will be recorded in the grade book. There will be no make-up presentations.
Book Reports
Each student will choose a book related to sustainable agriculture and present it to the class. The instructor will provide a list of suggested reading material, but students may make other selections. Presentations should include prepared discussion. If a student misses the due date for the presentation and report, a zero will be recorded in the grade book. There will be no make-up presentations.
Details for the crop and book reports will be provided at a later date.
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TENTATIVE CALENDAR
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Date
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Topic
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Week 1
Jan. 18
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Introductions, syllabus, NCTC website and canvas
Our goals: What do you hope to learn from our class?
Lecture: What is “sustainable?”
What isn’t sustainable?
Principles, terminology
Roundtable Discussion: Why do you want to learn about sustainability? How do you hope to use the skills you acquire here?
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Week 2
Jan.25
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Lecture: Getting started: Establishing a sustainable farm
Land and Resource Stewardship
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Take note
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January 29: Official Date of Record
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Week 3
Feb. 1
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Lecture: Cropping Systems
Permaculture Basics
Farm Ecology
Reading Assignments:
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Week 4
Feb. 8
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Fieldtrip #1
Fieldtrip Report due Feb. 14, 11:59 PM– submit in Canvas
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Week 5
Feb. 15
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Lecture: Crops and Products, Part 1
Assign Crop Reports
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Week 6
Feb. 22
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Lecture: Crops and Products, Part 2
Lab: Seed Saving and Treatment
Assign Book Reports
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Week 7
March 1
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Exam I
Lecture: Our local conditions
Temperature, Water, Soil
Environmental Modification
Lab: Cover crops in the garden
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Week 8
March 8
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Fieldtrip #2
Fieldtrip Report due March 21, 11:59 PM– submit in Canvas
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Take Note
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March 12-17: College closed for Spring Break
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Week 9
March 22
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Lecture: Weeds, Pests, and Diseases
Lab: Weed and Insect Identification, Corinth area
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Week 10
March 29
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Lecture: Organic Standards and Certification
Crop Reports
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Take Note
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April 5: Last day to withdraw with a “W”
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Week 11
April 5
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Exam II
Lecture: Tools, Equipment, and Structures
Use, maintenance, and costs
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Week 12
April 12
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Lecture: Marketing: Sales Options
CSAs and Farmers’ Markets
Added-Value Products
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Week 13
April 19
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Fieldtrip #5
Fieldtrip Report due April 25, 11:59 PM– submit in Canvas
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Week 14
April 26
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Lecture: Economic Sustainability
Labor and Community Issues
Running a Small Business
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Week 15
May 3
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Book Reports
Lab: Garden Planning
Exam Review
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Week 16
May 10
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Exam III
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May 11
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Term ends
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Take Note
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May 11: Commencement Ceremony
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ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5.
COURSE-SPECIFIC ATTENDANCE POLICIES
For every three absences, the student’s final grade will drop by one letter.
Three instances of tardiness (entering class late) will constitute one absence. Students who come late and leave early on the same class day will be counted absent.
Students arriving more than 15 minutes late for class will be counted as absent.
Students who come to class late need to make sure that they are counted as present on the roster; see instructor after class to have the roster updated. If the student fails to have the roster updated, and there is no record of attendance, the student will be counted as absent.
If a student does not participate in online activities for a consecutive three weeks, the student might be dropped from the CANVAS roster (blocked in CANVAS) and might be dropped from the class.
DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321. Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________
o Communication
o Mathematics
o Life and Physical Science
o Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
o American History
o Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
o Critical Thinking
o Communication
o Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
o Personal Responsibility
o Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
o Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
Consequences for academic dishonesty are detailed in the Student Handbook.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
Name of Chair/Coordinator
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Steve Keith
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Telephone Number
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(940) 668-4217
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Office Location
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Gainesville – AGC 1602
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Office Hours
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By Appointment
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Email Address
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skeith@nctc.edu
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Name of Dean
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Debbie Huffman
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Telephone Number
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(940) 668-3357
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Office Location
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Gainesville – Career & Technical Education Building
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Office Hours
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By Appointment
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Email Address
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dhuffman@nctc.edu
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