AG272:
Introduction to agricultural communication is a course designed to prepare students to understand, analyze, and communicate about complex issues in food, agriculture, and the environment. This course will provide students with a foundation in basic and advanced communication theories, models and practices that apply within agricultural settings. This course is designed to introduce students to the Agricultural Communication and Management concentration and the related fields of employment including, but not limited to, public relations, sales management, marketing management, communications management, technical writing, journalism, and media relations.
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Course Description: This course serves as an introduction to the field of agricultural communication, exploring the key concepts, theories, and practices involved in effectively communicating about agriculture. The course will cover various communication channels, strategies, and tools specific to the agricultural industry
Contact Information
Textbook: The Communication Scarcity in Agriculture
Edition: 1st
ISBN: 9781138650619
Author: Jessica Eise
Publisher: Routledge
1. Understand the fundamental concepts of agricultural communication and its importance in the agricultural industry.
2. Explore the historical development and current trends in agricultural communication.
3. Analyze the communication challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the consequences of communication scarcity.
4. Gain knowledge of various communication channels and tools relevant to agricultural communication.
5. Develop effective communication strategies for promoting agriculture and bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.
6. Enhance critical thinking and analytical skills through case studies and real-world examples.
7. Foster an appreciation for ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity in agricultural communication.
Tentative Course Schedule SUBMIT ALL ASSIGNMENTS TO BLACKBOARD PRIOR TO SUNDAY 5PM Week (Monday) Week Objectives and Assignments Tuesday- Lecture day, Thursday- Activity day Quizzes due Sunday @ 5:00 PM
August 18 | Overview of the course and its objectives - Importance of effective communication in the agricultural sector - Introduction to key concepts and theories in agricultural communication CH 1-2 & Blackboard Assignments |
August 25 | Traditional and emerging communication channels in agriculture - Understanding the target audience and tailoring messages - Exploring the role of social media, websites, and multimedia in agricultural communication CH 3-4 & Blackboard Assignments |
September 1 | Communication scarcity and its consequences - Identifying barriers and constraints in agricultural communication - Role of misinformation and its impact on public perception CH 5 & Blackboard Assignments |
September 8 | Evolution of agricultural communication practices - Historical case studies and their relevance today - Impacts of technological advancements on agricultural communication - LinkedIn Thursday CH 6-7 & Blackboard Assignments |
September 15 | The power of storytelling in conveying agricultural messages - Case studies of successful storytelling campaigns - Creating compelling agricultural narratives- Video project for Thursday activity CH 8 & Blackboard Assignments |
September 22 | Understanding the perspectives and needs of farmers and consumers - Strategies for effective communication between farmers and consumers - Addressing consumer concerns and building trust in agriculture Final Presentations (Thursday) CH 9 & Blackboard Assignments |
September 29 | Ethical considerations in agricultural communication - Cultural diversity and its implications for effective communication - Promoting inclusivity and understanding in agricultural messaging Final Presentations (Tuesday/Thursday) CH 10-11 & Blackboard Assignments Reflection Paper due Blackboard October 5 @ 5 PM |
| Major Assignments (Graded) Class participation and engagement in discussions. | 10 points |
| Quizzes or exams to assess understanding of key concepts and theories | 20 points |
| Leadership Workshop | 20 points |
| Final reflection paper on the importance of effective agricultural communication | 10 points |
TOTAL POINTS | 60 points |
Students will be evaluated via performance indicators applied to a variety of assignments, quizzes and tests designed to evaluate students’ mastery of course concepts.
A = above 89%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = below 60%
All late work will be returned to students with no grade (zero) for that assignment. Students are instructed to request an extension for any assignment that cannot be completed by deadline. Requests must come in person (face-to-face) and at least 48 hours prior to the start of the class during which the assignment is due
Instructor Course Policies
Attendance is required. Attendance will be taken randomly. Students missing from class will lose 3 points from their attendance grade. See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Attendance policy especially as it pertains to excused absences.
Academic misconduct will not be tolerated in the classroom. Failure to follow the aforementioned classroom policies may result in additional academic penalties as determined by the instructor and/or by the Office of Academic Affairs. See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Attendance policy, especially as it pertains to excused absences.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: SP26 Final Exam Schedule
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery Definition of Courses |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. Academic Integrity Policy |
Academic Misconduct - Examples [10/24]
ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT
This policy is directly related to the first Testimony, which is part of the Student Code of Conduct. “I will practice personal and academic integrity.” The initial responsibility for dealing with academic misconduct lies with the individual faculty member in whose classroom or course of study the offense occurs. The responsibility includes determination of the consequences for the offense. The goal is for faculty to confront cheating and plagiarism, to teach ethical behavior, and to provide an appropriate consequence based on the nature of the incident. Faculty are encouraged to explicitly address academic misconduct and its consequences in the course syllabus.
EXAMPLES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
A. Examination offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.Taking unauthorized materials into or out of the examination room.
2.Leaving the examination room without authorization before completing an examination.
3.Talking in the examination room without authorization.
4.Discussing the examination outside the examination room during the course of the examination.
5.Attempting to observe the work of another student.
6.Taking an examination for another person or permitting someone else to do so.
7.Collaborating improperly by discussion, joint research, or joint effort in any way expressly prohibited by the instructor. This includes using a cell phone or other device to access information from another source or another student.
8.Improper knowledge of contents of an examination - No student shall knowingly acquire unauthorized knowledge of an examination or any part of an examination, or solicit, offer, or give information about any part of an examination.
B. Student work offenses include, but are not limited to, the following, which are expressly prohibited in the absence of prior written approval of the instructor or instructors involved:
1.Resubmission of work - Submitting work which has been previously submitted for credit.
2. Plagiarism - Submitting work done wholly or partly by another, including the unattributed copying of all or parts of a published work or internet document. Using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) sources to produce work (when not expressly permitted) is also a form of plagiarism. Some instances of plagiarism are the result of ignorance rather than dishonesty. When plagiarism is encountered, the instructor should be sure that the student knows proper procedures for attributing content.
3.Prohibited sources - Consulting material or persons contrary to the directions of the instructor.
4.Improper collaboration - Engaging in any discussion, joint research, or joint effort of any kind expressly prohibited by the instructor.
5.Deception - Misrepresenting the authenticity of sources, citations, or principles in any written work.
6. Sharing work – Students who share their work with others are responsible for how that work is used. For example, if a student shares a paper with another student to help him or her understand an assignment, and that student submits the work as their own, the author of the paper shares responsibility for the plagiarism committed by the other student.
D. Other misconduct - Engaging in any other improper conduct as specified by the instructor.
E. Lying – deliberately providing false information relevant to academic matters, such as misrepresenting the inability to take an examination because of illness.
F. Disruptive or disrespectful classroom behavior – causing a disturbance in the classroom, interrupting instruction, speaking rudely or threatening students or faculty.
Class Attendance Policy Institutional Class Attendance Policy |
ADA and Students with Disabilities
Wilmington College and the Office of Compliance and Integrity are committed to ensuring equal access to students with disabilities, including physical, medical, and psychiatric disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and feel you may need a reasonable accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of this course, you are encouraged to connect with Nathan Flack, Academic Resource Center Manager/ADA Coordinator by visiting the Academic Resource Center located in Robinson Communication Center, Room 103 or connecting via email/phone at nathan.flack@wilmington.edu or 937-481-2208 (TTY: Ohio Relay 711 for deaf/hard of hearing). Please understand that formal eligibility communication from the Office of Compliance and Integrity must be presented prior to the coordination of accommodations for this course.