Department of Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications
James J. Connors, Dept. Chair (875 Perimeter Drive MS 2040; 1210 West 6th, 83844-2040; phone 208-885-6358; jconnors@uidaho.edu; https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/agricultural-education-leadership-and-communications).
The mission of the Department of Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications includes teaching, research, and service. The specific objectives of the department include the following:
- Prepare educators for employment in teaching agriculture and extension programs.
- Provide service and direction to FFA in Idaho.
- Prepare for careers in general learning/ranching or entry level positions in agricultural industry and agribusiness.
- Provide an opportunity for graduate study in the areas of agricultural and extension education.
- Assist in providing in-service education for agricultural educators in Idaho.
- Provide service to related agencies and organizations for the support of education and the development of human resources.
- Conduct quality research in agricultural and extension education.
- Assist in maintaining viable agricultural education programs.
- Assist in the development of information and instructional materials for the support of agricultural educators and extension personnel.
Courses in animal science, agricultural economics, agricultural mechanics, entomological science, plant science, horticulture, and soil science will prepare graduates to teach these areas as secondary agriculture instructors or develop educational programs as county extension faculty. The agricultural education curriculum is approved by the State Board for Professional-Technical Education. Graduates who have completed a minimum of 28 credits in agricultural education and who meet the state certification requirements for a standard secondary teaching certificate are qualified to teach secondary agriculture. Government and agribusiness agencies that seek persons with training in agriculture and education provide employment opportunities for graduates of this curriculum. Courses provide students an opportunity to develop employment opportunities in teaching agriculture, cooperative extension, and agribusiness occupations.
The department provides opportunities for professional growth and development to agricultural educators through a planned program of graduate study. The pursuit of an M.S. degree allows for the development of problem-solving skills through scientific investigation of appropriate research topics. Graduate work in agricultural and extension education is offered with the opportunity for students to elect options in agricultural sciences, extension education, professional-technical teacher education, international agricultural education, or other areas that parallel their career goals. Because of the diversity of research efforts by departmental faculty members, a graduate student has a wide variety of specializations from which to choose a thesis topic. Students with this degree are well prepared to move into a job market or to pursue a Ph.D. program at another institution.
Admission to a graduate program requires an undergraduate degree with a major in agricultural education or a closely related field. The department may require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if there is insufficient information available to indicate that the student will be successful in graduate work.
The department welcomes inquiries about its programs and suggests that anyone interested in possible pursuit of a degree in agricultural and extension education should contact the department at (208) 885-6358.
Majors
- Agricultural Education (B.S.Ag.Ed.)
- Agricultural Science, Communication and Leadership (B.S.Ag.L.S.)
Minors
- Agricultural Extension Education Minor
- Agricultural Communications and Leadership Minor
- Human and Community Engagement Minor (offered collaboratively with the department of Family and Consumer Sciences)
- International Agriculture Minor
Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and of the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. See the College of Graduate Studies section for the general requirements applicable to the M.S. degree.
AGED 101 Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (3 credits)
General Education: Oral Communication
This course is designed to help students develop strategies and techniques for effective oral communication in professions related to agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR). Emphasis is placed on oral, visual, and interpersonal communication through an issues-based approach to AFNR topics. Typically Offered: Spring.
AGED 180 Introduction to Agricultural Education (1 credit)
Overview of the goals, mission, and purpose agricultural education programs in High Schools. Course content will include topics related to career opportunities in Agricultural Education, key issues facing agricultural education programs in high schools at the local, state, and national levels; the importance of agricultural education to society; and the role of the agricultural educator in schools and communities. (Fall only)
AGED 200 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
Prereqs: Permission.
AGED 204 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 251 Principles of Agricultural Communications and Leadership (3 credits)
This course prepares individuals to serve in leadership and communication roles in agriculture. Course topics will include an examination of the journalistic, communication and broadcasting principles to develop and disseminate agricultural information, along with leadership principles related to leadership theory and personal leadership development.
AGED 252 Developing Collegiate and Community Organizations (3 credits)
Assisting community, collegiate, or social organization members, officers, or committee chairs to better serve the organization and to acquire practical organizational and management skills that will help them throughout their academic and professional careers. Basic knowledge and skills related to parliamentary procedure and the orderly conduct of meetings will also be covered. (Alt/odd years)
AGED 258 Experiential Learning and SAE Programs (1 credit)
This course addresses the role of experiential learning in Agricultural Education programs. A sound understanding and application of these programs is essential to the success of the local program. The emphasis of the course will be to provide students with supervised experience in agriculture. Record keeping skills will be developed to assist the student in planning, decision-making, and reporting.
AGED 263 History of U.S. and World Agriculture (3 credits)
General Education: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing
This course is an introduction to the history of agriculture around the world. The course will explore the beginnings of agriculture in the Fertile Crescent some 7,000 years ago and the expansion of agriculture to the far east, Europe, and all corners of the globe. Topics covered will include the development of crops and livestock systems, agricultural practices, land use and exploitation, experimentation, technological innovations, and the culture associated with agriculture in diverse countries. Typically Offered: Spring.
AGED 299 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 301 (s) Undergraduate Research (1-3 credits, max 3)
Undergraduate research for students in agricultural education.
Prereqs: Instructor Permission
AGED 350 Leadership Event Coordination (1-3 credits, max 6)
This course introduces students to the planning and implementation of leadership activities for the FFA - Career & Technical Student Organization. Students will use leadership, communications, and teambuilding skills to plan leadership and career development events (CDE/LDE), awards ceremonies, educational workshops, and stakeholder activities as part of the Idaho FFA State Convention (travel required). Students will collaborate with stakeholder groups including the Idaho FFA Association, Idaho FFA Alumni, Idaho FFA Foundation, Idaho Agriculture Teachers Association (IATA), and the Idaho Division of Career and Technical Education.
AGED 351 Career and Technical Education (3 credits)
Overview and interpretation of history, aims, and purposes of public education and career and technical education, issues and programs comprising education in Idaho and the U. S.
AGED 358 Supervising FFA and SAE Programs (3 credits)
Role of secondary agriculture instructors in supervising FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience programs. One lecture and one 2-hour lab per week. (Fall only)
Prereqs: Agricultural Education major and Permission
Prereqs or Coreqs: AGED 180
AGED 359 Developing 4-H Youth Programs (3 credits)
This course provides participants with an overview of the planning, development, and leadership principles of a 4-H/Youth Development program, the role of the 4-H/Youth Development Extension Education, Program Coordinator, and volunteer leader.
AGED 398 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
AGED 400 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 403 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 405 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 406 Exploring International Agriculture (3 credits)
General Education: International
General overview of agriculture around the world and the opportunity to develop an in-depth knowledge of agriculture in a country or region of student's choice. Typically Offered: Fall.
Prereqs: Junior or Senior standing
AGED 407 Global Agricultural & Life Sciences Systems (3 credits, max 9)
This course will introduce students to the history, culture, economy and agricultural systems of a selected foreign country emphasized through a planned short-term international field experience. Through study and travel to the select country, students will be exposed to the history of the country, important cultural sites, production agriculture field operations, agricultural business enterprises, and international agricultural markets. Students will participate in educational and pre-trip informational sessions along with post-trip debriefing, class discussions, completing reports and developing presentations for other CALS classes and clubs about their experience.
AGED 450 Leading People and Teams (3 credits)
Cross-listed with CLDR 450
Joint-listed with AGED 550
This course focuses on leadership and communication in groups and teams through an exploration of team-based leadership and shared visions. Students will develop a better understanding of themselves as leaders and followers and the role of others as leaders and followers within a community. Topics include: community-based models and theories related to effective groups and teams, processes of teams, team management, relationships in teams, creating a shared mission and vision amongst members, improving and evaluating team performance, determining leadership strategies based on team dynamics, and shared leadership. Recommended preparation: AGED 251
AGED 451 Communicating in Agriculture (3 credits)
Principles and practices of disseminating knowledge and information related to agricultural sciences, environment, and natural resources to clients and the general public; communications concepts, technology, and presentation skills that will help agricultural and natural resource professionals communicate effectively within their chosen profession.
AGED 452 Methods of Teaching Agriculture (4 credits)
Procedures of identifying and selecting instructional methods and materials, planning, and student evaluation criteria to effectively teach agriculture. (Fall only) Typically Offered: Fall.
Prereqs: AGED 180, Agricultural Education major, and Permission
Coreqs: AGED 470 Prereqs or Coreqs: AGED 358 AND grade of C or higher in EDCI 201, 301 and 302
AGED 453 Program Planning in Secondary Agricultural Education (3 credits)
Planning, organizing, and implementing secondary programs in agriculture. This course is to be taken during the student teaching semester. (Spring only)
Prereqs: AGED 452, Agricultural Education major, and Permission
AGED 454 Facilities Organization and Management (2 credits)
Applications of efficient planning, organizing, and teaching skills reqd in management of lab and shop facilities.
Prereqs: AGED 180, Agricultural Education major, and Permission
Prereqs or Coreqs: AGED 358
AGED 460 Practicum: Secondary School Teaching in Agriculture (10 credits)
Fifteen weeks of practical experience student teaching in a secondary agriculture program. (Spring only)
Prereqs: Admission to the Teacher Education Program and Permission
AGED 461 Student Teaching Portfolio (3 credits)
Summary of the 15-week practicum experience; a notebook portfolio to include unit lesson plans, daily teaching plans, video example of teaching, report of early field experience, daily journal, summary of 10 positive and 10 challenging teaching experiences, supervisory assessments of teaching by cooperating instructor and university supervisor, and cooperating teacher's final evaluation. (Spring only)
AGED 470 Proseminar in Agricultural Education (1 credit)
Professional issues in agricultural education. Fall semester includes additional 8-hour Saturday session for CPR and first aid training. Typically Offered: Fall.
Prereqs: Admission to Teacher Education Program, or Permission of department
Coreqs: AGED 452 Prereqs or Coreqs: Grade of C or higher in EDCI 201, EDCI 301, and EDCI 302
AGED 471 Senior Capstone in Agricultural Education (2 credits)
General Education: Senior Experience
This course serves as the senior capstone course for the B. S. in Agricultural Education. The course meetings will include 2 mandatory seminars (2 days each), a final presentation, and a senior capstone debriefing meeting at the end of the student-teaching field-experience.
Prereqs: AGED 470
AGED 481 Advanced Agricultural Communication and Leadership (3 credits)
This course is a culmination of the comprehensive knowledge gained in agricultural communications and leadership that infuses reflection with a real-life application of learned tools and skills. Designed for students to engage with a community organization or business to complete a full organizational analysis and design a communications campaign. The course results in the development of a portfolio.
AGED 498 (s) Internship (1-10 credits, max 10)
General Education: Senior Experience
Formalized learning experience in an actual work setting. Students work in an agriculturally related organization or agency and commit to a minimum of 40 hours of supervised work per semester credit. Requires completion of a formal proposal.
Prereqs: Junior or Senior standing; GPA of 2. 75 and Permission
AGED 499 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 500 Master's Research & Thesis (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 501 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 502 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 503 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 505 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 550 Leading People and Teams (3 credits)
Joint-listed with AGED 450, CLDR 450
This course focuses on leadership and communication in groups and teams through an exploration of team-based leadership and shared visions. Students will develop a better understanding of themselves as leaders and followers and the role of others as leaders and followers within a community. Topics include: community-based models and theories related to effective groups and teams, processes of teams, team management, relationships in teams, creating a shared mission and vision amongst members, improving and evaluating team performance, determining leadership strategies based on team dynamics, and shared leadership. Recommended preparation: AGED 251
AGED 560 Beginning Teacher Induction in Agricultural Education I (1 credit)
This course is designed to develop an understanding and application of teaching agriculture using the three-circle model. The course is taught using on-site clinical supervision, technical assistance, leadership, follow-up and support to beginning teachers of secondary agricultural education program. (Fall only)
AGED 561 Beginning Teacher Induction in Agricultural Education II (1 credit)
This course is designed to develop an understanding and application of teaching agriculture using the three-circle model. The course is taught using on-site clinical supervision, technical assistance, leadership, follow-up and support to beginning teachers of secondary agricultural education program. (Spring only)
AGED 562 Instructional Methods in Agricultural Education (3 credits)
Innovations and advanced principles in teaching methods and materials.
AGED 563 History and Philosophy of Agricultural and Extension Education (3 credits)
This course will review the development and growth of land-grant universities, agricultural experiment stations, the cooperative extension system, secondary and post-secondary agricultural programs, and the 4-H and FFA youth development organizations. Participants will conduct historical research and prepare a historical research manuscript for publication.
AGED 564 Curriculum Development in Agricultural Education (3 credits)
Design and development of data based curriculum and curriculum evaluation procedures in agricultural and extension education. Critique of curriculum development models, contemporary trends and issues, curriculum resources and accountability tools. Analysis of the use of national and state standards as well as local community needs in curriculum development
AGED 565 Program Planning and Evaluation in Agricultural Education (3 credits)
This course is designed to develop an understanding of Program Planning and Evaluation relevant to secondary agricultural education. Theories of program planning, evaluation principles, models, and procedures used in developing and analyzing agricultural education programs, conducting needs assessments, and the marketing of outcomes to major stake-holders
AGED 566 Advanced Philosophies of Teaching & Learning in Agricultural Education (3 credits)
Foundations and theories of teaching and learning with emphasis on applications in the secondary agricultural education classroom. Emphasis will be placed upon behavioral, social cognitive, cognitive, information processing, brain-based, constructivist, developmental, motivational, and transformational theories as they apply in contemporary agricultural education settings. Advanced teaching methods and pedagogies based on researched best-practices.
AGED 598 (s) Internship (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
AGED 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.
Prereqs: Permission
CLDR 220 Introduction to Human and Community Engagement (1 credit)
Cross-listed with HDFS 220
This course aims to prepare students to discover initiatives and opportunities for personal and professional engagement in their communities. Students will identify individual and community-based issues through an overview of basic human and community development theories and models. Students will examine the volunteerism, efforts, programs, policies, and practices of governmental agencies, charitable foundations, non-governmental organizations, and other community-based initiatives in the local area. Students will recognize their role as a citizen and opportunities for harnessing their talents through human and community engagement. Typically Offered: Spring.
CLDR 360 Leadership and Community Dynamics (3 credits)
Joint-listed with CLDR 560
This course aims to prepare students to address complex personal, organizational, and societal issues facing communities today through an exploration of traditional and contemporary leadership models, theories, and styles. Students will examine community-based problems and the role of formal and nonformal leadership in providing viable solutions for public and private domains. Designed to help students develop leadership competencies and enhance their strengths by thinking beyond role-based skills in organizational and community development. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
CLDR 380 Change and Power in a Global Society (3 credits)
Joint-listed with CLDR 480
This course explores models, theories, and competencies relating to change and becoming global change agents. Designed to promote an awareness and understanding of local and global issues. Students will be challenged to critically analyze barriers and constraints related to change, including: social and political influence, power dynamics, financial constraints, and complexity. Students will have the opportunity to gain perspective on the role of leadership and appropriate strategies for approaching issues with attention to stakeholders, inclusion, and cultural contexts. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall (Even Years).
CLDR 404 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
CLDR 420 Advanced Human and Community Engagement Experience (2-5 credits)
Cross-listed with HDFS 420
Formalized service-learning experience with community-based organization(s). Students commit a minimum of 40 hours of volunteerism/community engagement per semester credit. At least 40 hours must be with the preapproved organization and supervisor. Requires completion of a formal proposal. Typically Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer.
Prereqs: CLDR 220 or HDFS 220, and enrollment in final semester of Human and Community Engagement Minor
CLDR 450 Leading People and Teams (3 credits)
Cross-listed with AGED 450
Joint-listed with AGED 550
This course focuses on leadership and communication in groups and teams through an exploration of team-based leadership and shared visions. Students will develop a better understanding of themselves as leaders and followers and the role of others as leaders and followers within a community. Topics include: community-based models and theories related to effective groups and teams, processes of teams, team management, relationships in teams, creating a shared mission and vision among members, improving and evaluating team performance, determining leadership strategies based on team dynamics, and shared leadership. Recommended preparation: AGED 251
CLDR 480 Change and Power in a Global Society (3 credits)
Joint-listed with CLDR 380
This course explores models, theories, and competencies relating to change and becoming global change agents. Designed to promote an awareness and understanding of local and global issues. Students will be challenged to critically analyze barriers and constraints related to change, including: social and political influence, power dynamics, financial constraints, and complexity. Students will have the opportunity to gain perspective on the role of leadership and appropriate strategies for approaching issues with attention to stakeholders, inclusion, and cultural contexts. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Fall (Even Years).
CLDR 504 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits)
Credit arranged
CLDR 560 Leadership and Community Dynamics (3 credits)
Joint-listed with CLDR 360
This course aims to prepare students to address complex personal, organizational, and societal issues facing communities today through an exploration of traditional and contemporary leadership models, theories, and styles. Students will examine community-based problems and the role of formal and nonformal leadership in providing viable solutions for public and private domains. Designed to help students develop leadership competencies and enhance their strengths by thinking beyond role-based skills in organizational and community development. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.