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Urban Agriculture Innovative Farming Systems for the 21st Century Online Class (offered during
the summer and winter terms) Course Overview: This new course explores the subject of Urban Agriculture through the
investigation and evaluation of real life urban farm systems. Online presentations by the instructor and
a custom, library research guide provide a strong foundation for students to
explore contemporary methods and critical issues of modern day urban food
production. Students will be
introduced to Agroecology and evaluate urban farms
as complicated, dynamic systems with a range of outcomes and benefits. The course will consist of readings,
quizzes, and research assignments in which students critically assess major
strengths, weaknesses and implications of 21st century urban farm
systems. Learning Objectives: 1. To implement Agroecology and case study research as a way of learning
about principles and practices in urban farm systems 2. To understand the origins
and driving forces of urban agriculture and why it is needed in the context
of current events and contemporary issues. 3. To learn critical
thinking, scholarly research, and communication skills in an online classroom. Grading: 1. Attendance and
participation 30% - Attendance and participation is
imperative. Students are expected to
engage fully with the online classroom to access course content, take quizzes,
complete assignments, receive feedback from the instructor, and interact with
each other. This course utilizes
open-source information, which requires that students navigate the Internet,
library databases and web-based media as instructed. Quizzes and discussions will largely
account for participation. 2. Research Paper 45% - Students will choose a
specific urban farm (case study) or special topic as the focus of rigorous,
self-directed research. Students will
learn how to conduct systematic analysis and assessment aided by research
methods developed by the instructor and to synthesize existing knowledge
gathered from the UMass library databases.
The final product is a scholarly report that evaluates a real-life
farm system or critical topic and presents evidence for the impact of urban
agriculture in contemporary issues.
This assignment equips students with the information they need to
participate in the class dialogue. 3. Class dialogue 25% - The class dialogue is
an online “space” where students meet to ask and respond to important
questions about 21st century Urban Agriculture. It is an opportunity to develop and share
critical inquiries for the research paper, give and receive constructive
feedback, and learn more about the subject through each other’s
research. The quality and quantity of
student’s participation in class dialogue are evaluated for credit. Major Products Research
Paper -
clearly presents the case study analysis and assessment, a discussion of the
individual research topic synthesizing current research and evidence, and
conclusive findings. Conclusive
findings can be a) an outline of recommendations for improving case study
performance, and/or b) a successful, replicable model with a set of
prescriptive steps for implementing a project in new locations. Conclusive findings must be rooted in case
study analysis and assessment and reinforced with additional, appropriately
cited, scholarly research. A list of
references will be required. Reading All reading assignments will be made available
through the class blackboard system. Suggested Texts (not required) Books Gottlieb, Robert. Environmentalism Unbound., 2002. Holmgren, David. Permaculture: Principles and Pathways
Beyond sustainability, 2002. Jacke,
Dave. Edible Forest Gardens, 2005. Viljoen,
Andre, et al. Continuous Productive
Urban Landscapes. Oxford: Architectural, 2005. De la Salle, Janine. Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for
Building Sustainable Food Systems in 21st Century Cities, 2010 Fox, Thomas J. Urban
Farming: Sustainable City Living in Your Backyard, in Your Community, and in
the World” BowTie
Press, 2011 Reich,
Lee, Weedless Gardening, 2001, & Uncommon
Fruits for Every Garden, 2004 Smith,
J. Russell, Tree Crops for a Permanent
Agriculture, 1929
For information contact Helena Farrell at hfarrell@larp.umass.edu For information on cost and to
register: click
here! This class is part of the Sustainable
Food and Farming Series A UMass Certificate may be earned by the successful
completion of 15 credits of approved courses in this series. For
information, contact Dr. John M. Gerber at; jgerber@umass.edu
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@2013 John M. Gerber |
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