College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education

Overview

The Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education at Virginia Tech is committed to preparing students for success in professions that apply agricultural content to social settings.  We offer a major in Agricultural Sciences and a minor in Leadership and Social Change.  Our Agricultural Sciences students will experience an interdisciplinary program of study designed to address the growing needs of today’s evolving agricultural and food systems.  The Leadership and Social Change minor is available to students of all majors across the university. The minor embraces a commitment to diversity and an agenda for social change that crosses all disciplines of study.

Agricultural Sciences Major (AGSC)

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences is intended for individuals who want to collaborate to address the growing needs of today’s evolving agricultural and food systems.

Courses specifically required for the major include:
AEE 1004 Strengths Development for Careers in Agricultural Sciences; AEE 3014 Leadership Effectiveness for Professionals in Agricultural Organizations; AEE 3624 Communicating Agriculture in Writing; AEE 3634 Communicating Agriculture in Speaking; AEE 4014 Introduction to Cooperative Extension; and AEE 4044 Agricultural Sciences Seminar.

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 minor embraces a commitment to diversity and an agenda for social change that crosses all disciplines of study. Internships in businesses and organizations are encouraged as an extremely valuable way for students to gain work-related leadership 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 social change 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.

Satisfactory Progress Policy

By the end of the academic year in which the student enrolled in the Agricultural Sciences major 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: TEACHING AND TRAINING METHODS IN AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
Survey of strategies for design, implementation, and evaluation of instruction and training practices in agricultural and life sciences. Applications of principles in formal and non-formal educational settings, including schools, extension, and industry. Pre: Junior standing in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or related field. 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. Concurrent experience required serving as a peer leader. (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.

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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Programs of Study
Agricultural and Applied Economics | Agricultural and Extension Education | Agriculture and Life Sciences
Agriculture Technology | Animal and Poultry Science | Biochemistry | Biological Systems Engineering
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences | Dairy Science | Entomology | Food Science and Technology | Horticulture
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise | Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science