RSY 319 AGRICULTURE AND SOCIETY
2:10PM-3:00 T W F 307 Comer Hall 3 Credits
INSTRUCTORS: Dr. Joseph J. Molnar & Dr. Patricia Duffy
301 & 310A Comer Hall 844-5615 & 5629
Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30
jmolnar@acesag.auburn.edu
TEXTS: P. Thompson, R. Matthews, and E.O. Van Ravenswaay. 1994. Ethics, Public Policy,
and Agriculture. New York: Macmillan.
J. Molnar and P. Duffy. 1995. Readings and Case Studies for Agriculture and Society. Auburn: Sofi Copy.
OVERVIEW: Ethics, values, and conflicts associated with technological and other changes in
farming, rural communities, and the food system. Institutional processes and adjustments
associated with the relationship between agriculture and society. Issues include the well-being of
farm animals, the environmental impact of agricultural technology, food quality and safety, the
condition of migrant farm workers, and agricultural biotechnology.
OBJECTIVES:
1) To examine ethical and value conflicts in agriculture in the context of changing demographic
and institutional conditions.
2) To review historical and technological trends affecting the evolution of farming and the food
system.
3) To utilize case studies to illustrate current political, social, and institutional dilemmas facing
farmers, agribusinesses, and policy makers.
POSITION PAPERS: Each student will contribute a series of four 2-4 typed page essays integrating course materials, class discussion, and original thought in response to the case study materials. These papers will require synthesis and integration of assigned readings in the context of the course text.
EXAMINATIONS: Four tests (including the final) afford further opportunities to synthesize reading and class discussion. You will receive a pool of 10-15 questions on a given Wednesday; the following Friday you will be asked to address a selected subset of the essay questions in class. As a writing reinforcement course, assessment of papers and examinations will emphasize clear, coherent, grammatically correct expression of ideas, as well as substantive content.
Extra-point quizzes can add to your grade; these will be given on days of low attendance.
ATTENDANCE: Class participation is a vital component of this course; lack of participation or
excessive absences will reduce your letter grade.
EVALUATION: The exams and essays each contribute half your grade. Of 100 percent: A=92-100; B=84-91; C=72-84; D=64-72. Quizzes add to your point total, but not the base total for the
course.
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK
I. Ethics, Values, and Conflicts 3/27-31
Thompson et al. 1 Introduction
Thompson et al. 2 Analyzing Public Policies and Issues
II. Ethical Systems and Alternatives 4/3-7
Thompson et al. 3 Ethics and the Social Contract
Thompson et al. 4 Ethics and Policy: How They Fit Together
III. Food Safety Policy 4/10-14
Thompson et al. 5 Food Safety Policy
IV. The Environment 4/17-21
Thompson et al. 6 Agriculture, Natural Resources, and the Environment
V. The Environment (continued) 4/24-28
Thompson et al. 9 Sustainability
VI. Animal Rights 5/1-5
Thompson et al. 7 Farm Animal Welfare and Animal Rights
VII. Human Rights 5/8-12
Thompson et al. 8 Foreign Agricultural Assistance
VIII. Rural Communities 5/15-19
IX. Course Overview and Conclusion 5/22-26, 5/29-30
|
Week |
Topic |
Class Days: |
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Friday | ||
| 3/27 | Introduction | Essay I | ||
| 4/3 | Ethical Systems | Test I | ||
| 4/10 | Food Safety | Essay II | ||
| 4/17 | Environment | Test II | ||
| 4/24 | Environment | Essay III | ||
| 5/1 | Animal Rights | Test III | ||
| 5/8 | Human Rights | Essay IV | ||
| 5/22 | Rural Communities | open | ||
| 5/29 | Conclusion | open | ||
| Final is Test IV | ||||
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