Content outline

COURSE NAME:          KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS FOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS

COURSE CODE:           PAF 7102

YEAR:                          1

SEMESTER:                 1

CREDIT HOURS:          75

CREDIT UNITS:            5

Brief Course Description
 

The realization of any Agro-ecological intervention requires a thorough understanding of the social, economic and physical elements within the agro-ecosystem, as well as the interactions between those elements. This course analyzes the agro ecological approaches and tools such as community-based Action Research, Modeling and Remote Sensing, mixed Research Methodologies and various ICT tools. Additionally, the course will provide students with an opportunity to design interventions in partnership with communities by applying the acquired knowledge.

Course Objectives
 

By the end of the course students will be able to:

1. Familiarize students with agro-ecological tools and approaches
2. Develop practical, analytical and facilitating skills through readings and group projects.
3. Provide hands-on experience and interaction with farmers to design agro ecological interventions 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Apply the appropriate methods and tools in analyzing an agroecosystem
2. Design a viable community-based action research plan addressing an agro ecological issue together with a community partner group
3. Facilitate a structured discussion using the appropriate tools to foster dynamic participation of all members of a given group
4. Integrate state of the art research findings in designing an agro-ecological intervention

Detailed course content

Units	Content	Hours
1	Over view of knowledge systems a)      History and theories b)      Key concepts in knowledge systems c)      Indigenous knowledge systems d)      Relevance in agro ecology e)      Relevant models and tools f)       Case studies	30
2	Investigating agro-ecological systems a)      Tools and approaches for different Agro-ecological Scales b)      On-farm Agro-ecological Research and Practice c)      ICT options to support the investigation and analysis of Agro-ecological Systems tools such as community-based Action Research, modeling and Remote Sensing, mixed Research Methodologies and various ICT tools	25
3	Practicum Designing and Modeling an agro ecological intervention in an existing community	30
4	Exploring Contemporary Issues within Local Agroecosystems a)      Land policy and land grabbing 1.      Land reclamation - b)      Environmental degradation 1.      Land reclamation c)      Changing climatic conditions 1.      Tampering with agro-ecological zones d)      Other emerging issues 1.      Emerging pests and diseases – monocultures; 2.      Change in livelihoods – causes? 3.      Migrations and population growth 4.      Attitudes – loss of will to self-help	25

References

Coyle S., 2011. Sustainable and Resilient Communities: A Comprehensive Action Plan for Towns, Cities, and Regions. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-470-53647-6 (hardcover)

Eksvärd k. et al., 2014.  Agro-ecology in Practice: Walking the Talk. Uppsala: Cecilia Waldenström.

Ensor J. and Rachel B., 2009. Understanding Climate Change: Lessons from Community- Based Approaches. The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ, UK:. Practical Action Publishing. ISNB 9781853396830. 

Guerrin, Yvonne. In-Depth Interviewing Techniques webcast: http://www.blc.lsbu.ac.uk/aa/aa/Multimedia/In-Depth%20Interviewing%20Techniques/player.html

 

Méndez V.E., C.M. Bacon and Cohen R., 2013. Agro-ecology as a Trans-disciplinary, Participatory, and Action-oriented Approach. Agro-ecology and Sustainable Food Systems 37(1): 3-18. 

Strand K., S. Marullo N., Cutforth R., Stoecker and P. Donohue, 2003. ‘Origins and Principles of Community-Based Research’ and ‘Methodological Principles of Community-Based Research.’ Community-Based Research and Higher Education: Principles and Practices. San Francisco: John Wiley and Sons. pp.1-15 and 71-95.

Wezel A. and Soldat V.,  2009. A quantitative and qualitative historical analysis of the scientific discipline of agroecology, in International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 7(1) 3–18.