Agricultural Studies Department

Lecture/Discussion Schedule

Spring 2007

This schedule is subject to change based on current news and events.

Wk	Topics	Assignment
1	Introduction* History of Agricultural Development Domestication of Animals and Ascent of Civilization	Course Syllabus Reading assignments “How It All Began….” Printed Handout, Journal 1.doc Reading the Signs of Ancient Animal Domestication
2	Commodity Research Ag Issue Research	Agricultural Development... Journal 2.doc Teams meet during class time and outline semester
3	The Role of California Agriculture Agriculture Statistical Review for California	“Rethinking the Future” Printed Handout California County Assignment, Journal 3 California Dept of Food & Agriculture NASS - California Reports & Statistics
4	U.S. Agriculture World Population and Food	Statistics by State U. S. States Agriculture Assignment
4	Ag Commodity Story Board Due	Class Presentation... March 12
5	Ethical Issues in Animal Agriculture	Find websites on Animal Rights and Animal Welfare “Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights”
6	Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Ag Issue Qualitative Interview	http://www.whybiotech.com/en/whatis/ con56.asp?MID=3 Plant Biotechnlogy Timeline “What is Biotechnology” Overview & Brief History Qualitative Interview Handout on Web
6	Ag Commodity Research Paper Due	March 26
7	Air Quality of the Central Valley	Guest Lecturer, Ron Harben April 2 San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
7	Topical Journal Check	April 2
8	Spring Break April 9-13 Conduct Ag Issue Interview	No Class
9	Water Issues in California Irrigation	“California’s Water Systems” http://www.water.ca.gov/maps/ “Irrigation Drainwater Contamination in the San Joaquin Valley” Water Education Foundation Department of Water Resources
9	Ag Studies Speaker Series	April 19
10	Qualitative Interview Report due	April 23
11	Crop Protection aka Pesticide Use Integrated Pest Management	IPM THE HISTORY OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT Biocontrol Network Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for "Urban" Landscapes Pesticide History.pdf
12	Sustainable Agriculture	What is Sustainable Agriculture? “Environmental Degradation of Ancient Greece” Handout
13	Endangered Species Act & E.P.A.	Endangered Species Program Endangered species map Causes of Endangerment Agriculture affects... Other webs by search
13	Ag Issue Research Paper Due	May 14
if time	Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues	Search the Web Handout
if time	Family Farm and Rural Societies and Rural Poverty	Handout…Group Project, comparison of domestic vs. global poverty Dimensions of rural poverty Rural Poverty at a Glance Rurual Poverty Research Center
14	Agricultural Issue Debates Final Exam	Powerpoint and Debates, May 21