College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Agricultural and Extension Education

Programswww.aee.vt.edu/

Rick Rudd, Head
Professors: R. D. Rudd
Associate Professor: E. K. Kaufman
Assistant Professors: J. C. Anderson; N. A. Clegorne; C. R. Friedel; K. L. Niewolny; 
H. Scherer; M. K. Spindler; D. M. Westfall-Rudd
Instructor: G. A. Seibel
Lecturer: M.M. Seibel
Adjunct: D. B. Calhoun
Emeritus Faculty: S. R. Burke; W. G. Camp; J. P. Clouse; J. R. Crunkilton; J. H. Hillison;
M. B. McMillion; J. D. Oliver
Undergraduate Program Director: C. R. Friedel (231-8177; cfriedel@vt.edu)

Overview

    The Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at Virginia Tech is committed to preparing students for success in professions that apply topical content to social settings. We offer a major in Agricultural Sciences and a minor in Leadership and Social Change. Our Agricultural Sciences graduates will meet the needs of a variety of agricultural employers. In addition, the Agricultural Sciences degree program prepares undergraduates to enter and excel in graduate and professional programs. The minor in Leadership and Social Change is of particular interest to students planning to pursue a career in non-profit organizations, including governmental and non-governmental agencies with an agenda for social justice. The Leadership and Social Change minor is associated with Virginia Tech’s Residential Leadership Community.

Agricultural Sciences Major (AGSC)

    The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences is intended for the individual who wants a strong combination of breadth and depth in agricultural and related subject matter. The agricultural sciences major provides students with the opportunity to tailor curriculum by selecting two minors from a list of 18 options in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Natural Resources, and the Department of Biological Sciences.

    The Agricultural Sciences course content possibilities include Agricultural and Applied Economics; International Agriculture; Animal and Poultry Sciences; Biochemistry; Biological Systems Engineering; Biological Sciences; Communication; Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences; Dairy Science; Entomology; Environmental Science, Fisheries and Wildlife; Food Science and Technology; Foreign Languages; Forestry; Geography; Horticulture; Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; Leadership: Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science; and Wood Science. Courses specifically required for the major include Strengths Development for AGSC Careers (AEE 1004), Communicating Agriculture in Writing (AEE 3624), Communicating Agriculture in Speaking (AEE 3634), Leadership for Professionals in Agricultural Organizations (AEE 3014), and the Agricultural Sciences Seminar (AEE 4044).

    For additional information about the Agricultural Sciences degree, contact the department’s advising office, 231-8177, or Dr. Curtis Friedel, cfriedel@vt.edu.

Leadership and Social Change Minor (ILRM)

    The Leadership and Social Change minor is available to students of all majors across the university. The program embraces a commitment to diversity and an agenda for social change that crosses all programs areas. The minor will be of interest to students planning to pursue a career in non-profit organizations, including governmental and non-governmental agencies with an agenda for social justice. Internships in such organizations are an extremely valuable way for students to gain work-related skills.
    The Leadership and Social Change minor requirements include three core classes in leadership theory and practice and three courses from a list of restricted electives. Students in Virginia Tech’s Residential Leadership Community complete two of the core classes as part of that program. Enrollment by other students is limited.

    For additional information about the minor, contact 231-8177, or Curtis Friedel, cfriedel@vt.edu. For information about the Residential Leadership Community, contact 231-4469, or Mr. Nicholas Clegorne, clegorne@vt.edu.

Satisfactory Progress Policy

    By the end of the academic year in which the student has attempted 72 hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing and credit by examination), "satisfactory progress" will consist of:
    • GPA of at least 2.0
    • at least 24 credits that apply to the Curriculum for Liberal Education, and
    • at least 9 semester credits of departmental requirements.

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Undergraduate Course Descriptions (AEE)

1004: STRENGTHS DEV FOR AGSC CAREERS
Exploration of self-development and career planning related to personal talents and strengths.  Special attention will be devoted to pathways for learning within the Agricultural Sciences degree program.  This course is intended for students in their first year of enrollment at Virginia Tech. (1H,1C)

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3004: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
Offers a foundation for student engagement and exploration of educational programs within agricultural and life sciences. Formal and non-formal learning contexts in local community programs. Opportunities include fieldwork assignments. (3H,3C)

3014: LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS FOR PROFESSIONALS IN AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Designed to assist students in developing a knowledge and understanding of leadership theory and basic skills required to perform effectively in leadership positions within agricultural community situations. (3H,3C)

3084: AGRICULTURAL METAL FABRICATION
Introduction to metal working tools, equipment, and processes. Fundamentals of hot and cold metal working, plumbing, and welding applications, including inert gas welding processes.  Junior standing or consent of instructor is required. (1H,6L,3C)

3624: COMMUNICATING AGRICULTURE IN WRITING
Development of communication skills necessary to deal with the general public and audiences in the food, agriculture, and natural resources fields.  Emphasis on writing and on creation of a portfolio including multiple types of written communication. (3H,3C)

3634: COMMUNICATING AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES IN SPEAKING
Development of strategies and techniques for effective oral communication in the professions related to food, agriculture, and natural resources. Emphasis on oral, visual, and interpersonal communication, as well as on group leadership and meeting management. (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

4014: INTRODUCTION TO COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
An overview of the Cooperative Extension Service as it applies to agriculture.  Major areas discussed include history, organization, functional areas, responsibilities of local agents, and employment in extension. (3H,3C)

4024: MANAGING AGRICULTURAL SUPERVISED OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS
Major emphasis will be given to the agricultural teacher's responsibility for supervision of the Supervised Occupational Experience Program (SOEP). The course will emphasize the ownership project, the cooperative placement project, maintaining record books, and supervising the SOEP. (2H,2C)

4034: METHODS OF PLANNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR AGRICULTURE
Course examines the procedures involved in the development of courses, curriculum, and instructional materials for educational programs in agriculture. Pre: 3004 or 3004. (2H,3L,3C)

4044: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SEMINAR
A senior capstone course addressing issues of importance for majors in Agricultural Sciences.  The course will emphasize a synthesis of research results from collected data and information on contemporary problems in agriculture and related fields and a sharing of the results. It will emphasize the development of skills in critical analysis, writing, and speaking. Pre: 3624, 3634. (3H,3C)

4054: INTERNSHIP IN COOP EXTENSION
Off-campus participation experience for those preparing to become extension agents in the Cooperative Extension Service.  Variable credit; 6-16 credits. Variable credit course.

4244: METHODS OF TEACHING CAREER AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION
Developing instructional plans, delivering and evaluating instruction, and evaluating learner performance for career and occupational education. Pre: 4234. (3H,3C)

4304: COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Comprehensive examination of community education and development. Community/sustainable community development, strategies for mobilizing social change in/with communities. Explore participatory, popular, and community-based education from rural and urban settings. Globalization, sustainability, and social movement discourse with emphasis on agricultural, health, and food system examples. Pre: Junior standing. (3H,3C)

4744: METHODS, MATERIALS AND PRACTICES IN INSTRUCTION
Planning, using, evaluating classroom procedures; selection and organization of subject content and materials in vocational and technical education.  Maximum credit: 6. Consent required. Variable credit course. X-grade allowed. Co: EDCT 4754.

4754: INTERNSHIP IN EDUCATION
Planned program of clinical practice in education under the direction and supervision of a university supervisor and a selected practitioner. Recommendation of program area and successful completion of Professional Studies required. Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

4884: YOUTH PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Organizational design of educational youth programs such as 4-H and FFA, including administrative planning, human resource development, recruitment, marketing, and budgeting. (3H,3C)

4964: FIELD STUDY/PRACTICUM
Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.



Undergraduate Course Descriptions (LDRS)

1015-1016: EXPLORING CITIZEN LEADERSHIP
This two-semester interdisciplinary course offers an introduction to citizen leadership.  1015 explores traditional and contemporary leadership theory and competencies by comparing cultural contexts of leadership. 1016 introduces leadership praxis (action and reflection) as a method of research and service designed to continually refine leadership theory, competencies, and values. (3H,3C)

2014: PRINCIPLES OF PEER LEADERSHIP
Examine theories and basic principles associated with being a positive influence on fellow students and develop leadership skills utilized to motivate peers in teamwork-based scenarios. (3H,3C)

2964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3104: THE DYNAMICS OF LEADERSHIP
This course examines advanced leadership theories and leadership effectiveness in today's organizations. Pre: 1015. (3H,3C)

3304: ELEMENTS OF TEAM LEADERSHIP
The focus of this course is to enable students to develop effectiveness in leading, delegating, and communicating within a team environment. An emphasis will be placed on emotional intelligence in teams, team management, and effective team processes. Pre: 1015. (3H,3C)

3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.

3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4044: LEADERSHIP STUDIES CAPSTONE
Culmination of comprehensive knowledge gained about leadership and social change throughout a student's undergraduate career.  Involves reflection on collegiate leadership experiences and coursework in the leadership and social change minor.  Results in student development of an electronic portfolio (i.e., ePortfolio). Pre: Senior standing Pre: 1015. (1H,1C)

4754: INTERNSHIP
Variable credit course.

4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Honors. Variable credit course.

4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Honors. Variable credit course.