Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Head: Rick Rudd
Professors: L. V. Crowder and R. D. Rudd
Associate Professor: E. K. Kaufman, K.L. Niewolny, and D. M. Westfall-Rudd
Assistant Professors: J. C. Anderson, T. G. Archibald, T. A. Drape, C. R. Friedel, R. J. Rateau, H. Scherer, and M. K. Spindler, and K. A. Vines
Lecturer: M.M. Seibel
Emeritus Faculty: S. R. Burke, W. G. Camp, J. P. Clouse, J. R. Crunkilton, J. H. Hillison,
M. B. McMillion, and J. D. Oliver
Undergraduate Program Director: C. R. Friedel (231-8177; cfriedel@vt.edu)
Web: www.alce.vt.edu
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.
Degree Requirements
The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.
The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.
Please visit the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.
For additional information about the Agricultural Sciences degree, contact the department's academic programs coordinator, 231-6337, or Ms. Sharon Williams, sharon.williams@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 may be found by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.
For additional information about the minor, contact 231-1435, or Richard Rateau, rrateau@vt.edu.
Satisfactory Progress
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.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ALCE)
1004: STRENGTHS DEVELOPMENT FOR CAREERS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
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 ORGANIZATION
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)
3074: MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES OF AGRICULTURAL CONSTRUCTION
Introduction to materials selection and construction
procedures for carpentry, concrete, and masonry
construction. Understanding and skills applicable to
construction of agricultural buildings. Junior standing or
consent of instructor required.
(1H,6L,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 & LIFE SCIENCES 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 group
leadership and meeting management.
(3H,3C)
3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.
4004: TEACHING ADULTS IN AGRICULTURE
Organizing classes, developing programs of instruction and
teaching techniques applicable to out-of-school groups in
Agriculture.
(2H,2C)
4014: INTRO TO COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
An overview of the Cooperative Extension Service as it
applies to non-formal education for citizens and
communities. Major areas discussed include history,
organization, functional areas, responsibilities of local
agents, employment in extension, and educational
program planning.
(3H,3C)
4024: MANAGING AGRICULTURAL SUPERVISED OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROJECT
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
education programs in agriculture.
Variable credit course.
Pre: 3004 or 3004 or AEE 3004 or AEE 3004.
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.
Senior Standing required.
(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.
4064: AG MECHANICAL LAB MANAGEMENT
Plan, organize, and manage secondary school mechanics
laboratories. Management of the instructional program,
facility, equipment, inventory, safety, liability,
personnel, material control, and student customer work.
(2H,3L,3C)
4234: CURRICULUM FOR CAREER AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION
Provides current and prospective career and occupational
education teachers with research bases, resources, and
available curricula for teaching content in the respective
disciplines. Develops the ability to plan, manage, develop,
and evaluate curricula. The prerequisite EDCT 2604 will be
waived for Agricultural Education students.
Pre: EDCT 2604.
(3H,3C)
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 life sciences. Applications of
principles in formal and non-formal educational settings,
including schools, extension, and industry.
Pre: 4234 or AEE 4234.
(3H,3C)
4254: ADULT VOCATIONAL&TECHNICAL ED
Theory, practices, and procedures involved in planning,
developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating adult
education programs in Vocational and Technical Education.
Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, courses in
teaching methods and curriculum required.
(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.
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.
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
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
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
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
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.