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Agricultural Education and Communication

Agricultural Education and Communication

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Graduate Courses and Syllabi

Courses are listed in numerical order. For distance students, please take a look at the Online Course Matrix to see when online courses are offered. These are subject to change, but as they are updated, the document will also be updated.

AEC 5032: Agricultural Media Writing 
Prereq: AEC 5541.
Varied media writing assignments: feature stories, news releases, and video.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5032

Fall 2022: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5032

Spring 2022: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5032

AEC 5034: Digital Media Production in Agriculture and Natural Resources
This course will focus on the role of digital media in agricultural and life sciences. Topics will include how agriculture uses digital media production. Also, students will be introduced to video shooting and editing, digital photography, print design, and media literacy through hands-on experiences. Students will learn skills and knowledge in digital video production and editing, digital photography, print layout and design, and media literacy. 

Typical course offering: Summer even years (online) Fall and Spring (face to face)

Spring 2024: Dr. Ricky Telg, AEC5034

Fall 2023: Dr. Ricky Telg, AEC5034

Spring 2023: Dr. Ricky Telg, AEC5034

AEC 5037: Agricultural Media Production 
Prereq: AEC 5541.
Variety of agricultural media production assignments. Agricultural websites and publication development.

Typical course offering: Fall and Spring

Spring 2024: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5037

Spring 2023: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5037

Fall 2022: Dr. Ricky Telg, AEC5037

AEC 5060: Public Opinion and Agricultural and Natural Resources Issues
Public opinion measurement and agenda setting. Media treatment, public opinion, and public relations/public information activity on issues affecting agricultural production and trade. 

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Lisa Lundy, AEC5060

Fall 2022: Dr. Lisa Lundy, AEC5060

Fall 2021: Dr. Lisa Lundy, AEC5060

AEC 5206: Teaching Methods in Agricultural Education
Teaching methodology course that focuses on the selection and use of teaching strategies, methods/approaches, and techniques; evaluating learning; managing learning environments; and classroom management for teaching agricultural subjects in formal educational settings. 

Typical course offering: Fall and Spring

Fall 2023: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC5206

Fall 2021: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC5206

Spring 2021: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC5206

AEC 5227: Teaching in Agricultural Education Laboratory Facilities 
Introduces pre-service agricultural education teachers to laboratory integration into the agricultural education curriculum at the middle school and secondary school level. (For MS certification students.)

Typical course offering: Fall

Spring 2021: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC5227

AEC 5324: Philosophy and Development in Agricultural Education
Prereq: Admission to AEC state-approved graduate-level teacher certification program.
An analysis of evolving concepts and philosophies of agricultural education programs with emphasis upon the history, legislation and principles underlying organization and practice.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC5324

Fall 2021: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC5324

Fall 2020: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC5324

AEC 5416: Critical and Creative Thinking in Problem Solving and Decision Making in Agricultural Education and Communication 

Creating a foundation for effective leadership practice through the analysis and development of critical and creative thinking skills and dispositions as applied to dynamic organizational and community contexts. Contexts include agriculture, life sciences, natural resources, and related settings.

Typical course offering: Spring of even years

Syllabi:

Spring 2024: Dr. Sarah Bush, AEC5416

Spring 2021: Dr. Nicole Stedman, AEC5416

AEC 5454: Leadership Development for Extension and Community Nonprofit Organizations 
Application of concepts related to developing leaders for organizing and maintaining extension and community nonprofit organizations.

Typical course offering: Fall and Spring

Spring 2024: Dr. Laura Greenhaw, AEC5454

Fall 2023: Dr. Laura Greenhaw, AEC5454

Fall 2022: Dr. Laura Greenhaw, AEC5454

AEC 5541: Communication and Instructional Technologies in Agricultural and Life Sciences 
Planning and production of written and visual instructional and communication materials for programs in agricultural and life sciences. Major instructional project or communication campaign required.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5541

Fall 2022: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5541

Fall 2021: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC5541

AEC 5544: Curriculum Development and Assessment Techniques in Emerging Agricultural Technologies 
Principles and practices used in developing agricultural education curriculum from developing objectives through instructional plans. Assessing student learning and implementing curriculum.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Tre Easterly, AEC5544

Spring 2021: Dr. Tre Easterly, AEC5544

AEC 5545: Special Methods in Teaching Agriculture
Teaching methods for active learning, critical, creative and evaluative thinking in the agricultural education classroom. Strategies for managing student behavior, utilizing instructional technology and utilizing FFA and SAE as teaching tools.

Typical course offering: Spring

Spring 2021: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC5545

AEC 5546: Program Planning in Agricultural Education
Principles and practices used in designing courses of instruction for effective teaching and total program development.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Debra Barry, AEC5546

Fall 2020: Dr. Debra Barry, AEC5546

AEC 6210: Designing Education Programs in Agricultural Settings
Engages students in appropriate teaching techniques, curricula and resources. Emphasis placed on instruction in both formal (classroom) and nonformal (extension & outreach) settings.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Tre Easterly, AEC6210

Fall 2021: Dr. Tre Easterly, AEC6210

Summer C 2021: Dr. Tre Easterly, AEC6210

AEC 6211: Delivering Educational Programs in Agricultural Settings 
Focus on delivering educational programs in formal and nonformal settings. Emphasis placed on balancing theoretical and practical development and delivery of educational programs.

Typical course offering: Spring

Syllabi:

Spring 2024: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC6211

Fall 2023: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC6211

Spring 2023: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC6211

AEC 6212: Teacher Education in Agriculture
Designed to prepare future agriculture teacher educators with the knowledge and skills needed to provide leadership in a university teacher education program. Students will investigate various models of teacher education and determine the composition of a well-developed agriculture teacher education program.

Typical course offering: Spring

Syllabi:

Spring 2024: Dr. Tre Easterly, AEC6212

AEC 6229: Laboratory Instruction: Theory and Practice 
Research and theoretical foundations that underlie the aspects of planning, management, teaching, evaluation, safety, and facility design will be discussed within the context of laboratory instruction.

Typical course offering: Spring (odd years)

 

Spring 2023: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC6229

 

Spring 2021: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC6229

AEC 6300: Methodology of Planned Change 
Processes by which professional change agents influence the introduction, adoption, and diffusion of technological changes. Applicable to those who are responsible for bringing about change.

Typical course offering: Spring

Spring 2024: Dr. Sarah Bush, AEC6300

Spring 2023: Dr. Sarah Bush, AEC6300

Spring 2023: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6300

AEC 6316: From America to Zimbabwe: An Overview of International Extension Systems 
Various extension models and delivery systems, extension partners; linkages and issues affecting extension internationally. Field trip.

Typical course offering: Spring (odd years)

Spring 2023: Dr. Kathleen Colverson, AEC6316

Spring 2021: Dr. Amy Harder, AEC6316

AEC 6325: History and Philosophy of Agricultural Education
Analysis of evolving concepts and philosophies. Emphasis on history, legislation, and principles underlining organization and practice. Participation in field experience required. 

Typical course offering: Spring (even years)

Summer C 2022: Dr. Debra Barry, AEC6325 (Online)

Spring 2022: Dr. Debra Barry, AEC6325

Fall 2021: Dr. Debra Barry, AEC6325

AEC 6411: Organizational Leadership
This course is designed to examine leadership as it relates to organizations and provide a knowledge base of theories, research and practices necessary for effective organizations.  Topics will focus on:  organizational leadership, culture, structure, relationships, change, and conflict.  This course is designed for all graduate students who are interested in positions of leadership within organizations and who want to learn more about making the organizations they lead more effective.

Typical course offering: Spring (odd years)

Fall 2023: Dr. Matthew Sowcik, AEC6411

Spring 2023: Dr. Matthew Sowcik, AEC6411

Fall 2020: Dr. Matthew Sowcik, AEC6411

AEC 6419: Communication and Competencies for Global Leadership
The purpose of this course is to increase knowledge of the global social, political, anthropological, psychological and linguistic perspectives of intercultural communication and relationships and to enhance cultural competence in communication through practical application of intercultural communication principles and concepts. 

Typical course offering: Spring

Fall 2023: Dr. Pablo Lamino, AEC6419

Spring 2023: Dr. Natalie Coers, AEC6419

Spring 2021: Dr. Cecilia Suarez, AEC6419

AEC 6426: Developing Volunteer Leadership in Extension and Community Non-profits
Identification, recruitment, training, retention and supervision of volunteer leaders. Specifically, this course will explore the praxis between volunteer leadership models and theories and the practical application of those behaviors to effectively administer and lead a volunteer program in the contexts of extension and community non profits. 

Typical course offering: Summer (even years; online only)

Summer C 2022: Dr. Matt Benge, AEC6426

Summer C 2020: Dr. Matt Benge, AEC6426

AEC 6501: Developing and Conducting Needs Assessments in Extension Settings
Iden This course is intended to help educators in the field of extension and other non-formal education organizations: (a) acquire an understanding of needs assessments from theory to practice and (b) strengthen or develop their skills in planning and conducting needs assessments within extension settings

Typical course offering: Spring (even years)

Spring 2024: Dr. Matt Bange, AEC6501

Spring 2022: Dr. Amy Harder, AEC6501

AEC 6540: Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications Theory and Strategies
Communication theory and concepts as they apply to important agricultural/ natural resources issues.

Typical course offering: Spring

Spring 2024: Dr. Sadie Hundemer, AEC6540

Spring 2023: Dr. Sadie Hundemer, AEC6540

Fall 2022: Dr. Sadie Hundemer, AEC6540

AEC 6543: Teaching and Learning Theory: Applications in Agricultural Education and Communication
Contemporary and foundational theory and research on teaching and learning processes with emphasis on applications in agricultural education and communication. 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 and communication settings. 

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Grady Roberts, AEC6543

Spring 2022: Dr. Carla Jagger, AEC6543

Fall 2021: Dr. Grady Roberts, AEC6543

AEC 6552: Evaluating Programs in Extension Education
Concepts and research drawn from the social sciences relevant to evaluating youth and adult extension programs.

Typical course offering: Spring (odd years)

Summer C 2021: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6552

Spring 2021: Dr. Glenn Israel, AEC6552

Summer 2019: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6552 (online)

AEC 6611: Agricultural and Extension Adult Education
Concepts and principles related to design, implementation, and evaluation of education programs for adults..

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Grady Roberts, AEC6611

Fall 2021: Dr. Grady Roberts, AEC6611

Fall 2020: Dr. Grady Roberts, AEC6611

AEC 6704: Extension Administration and Supervision 
Principles and practices for effective administration and supervision of the cooperative extension service program at the county and state levels.

Typical course offering: Summer (even years) 

Summer C 2022: Dr. Myers & Dr. Arrington, AEC6704

Summer C 2020: Dr. Myers & Dr. Arrington, AEC6704

AEC 6767: Research Strategies in Agricultural Education and Communication
Application of principles, practices, and strategies for conducting behavioral research in agricultural and natural resource professions.

Typical course offering: Spring

Spring 2024: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC6767

Spring 2023: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC6767

Spring 2022: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC6767 (F2F)

AEC 6905: Problems in Agricultural and Extension Education
Prereq: Approval of faculty advisor and/or course instructor.
For advanced students to select and study a problem related to agricultural and/or extension education (independent study, rotating topics).

Typical course offering: Fall, Spring and Summer

*No syllabus required

AEC 6910: Supervised Research
Research for master's or doctoral students. Contact your advisor or the Academic Program Specialist to determine the amount of hours allowed in a program of study..

Typical course offering: Fall, Spring and Summer

*No syllabus required

AEC 6912: Non-Thesis Research
Research for non-thesis master's students. At least three hours are required.

Typical course offering: Fall, Spring and Summer

*No syllabus required

AEC 6932: Effectively Communicating Agriculture and Life Sciences Policy Issues

This course is designed to educate students about major policy issues in agricultural and life sciences (ALS) and to expose students to a variety of methods used to effectively communicate, inform, and influence decisions about these issues. All discussions and activities are planned to involve you in "real world" ways. This course includes mandatory trips to downtown Gainesville, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.

Typical course offering: Spring

Spring 2023: Dr. Ricky Telg, AEC6932

Spring 2021: Dr. Ricky Telg & Dr. Lisa Lundy, AEC6932

AEC 6932: Facilitating Leadership Programs

Theory of planning and creation of facilitation and teaching methods for leadership education students; discovery of presentation and training activities to create change within an organization. In this course, students will plan and carry out a leadership training program to a particular clientele with leadership education needs.

Typical course offering: Spring (odd years)

Spring 2023: Dr. Sarah Bush, AEC6932Facilitation

Spring 2020: Dr. Nicole Stedman, AEC6932 Facilitation

AEC 6932: Mixed-Method Frameworks in Research 
This course is designed to cover concepts relevant to designing and conducting mixed methods and participatory research. This course will give the student an appreciation of the basic skills needed to effectively integrate diverse methodologies and participatory methods.

Typical course offering: Fall (even years)

Fall 2022: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932 Mixed Methods

Fall 2020: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932 Mixed Methods

AEC 6932: Qualitative Research Methods
This course is designed to cover concepts relevant to designing and conducting qualitative research. The course is structured as an authentic research experience that will give the student an appreciation of the basic skills and steps needed to implement a rigorous qualitative study. Research teams will be formed at the beginning of the semester and every student will be part of a team. These research team(s) will be responsible for designing and implementing a qualitative study relevant to Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Typical course offering: Fall (odd years)

Fall 2023: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932 Qualitative Methods

Fall 2021: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932

Fall 2019: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932 Qualitative Methods

AEC 6932: Scientist Online Production and Research

This graduate special topics course emphasizes: 1) solutions-focused, constructive science communication theory, research, and techniques, 2) instructional design for non-formal science education online programs, 3) collaboration with PK-12 stakeholders and audiences, and 4) non-formal science communication and education assessment.

Spring 2024: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC6932

Spring 2023: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC6932

Spring 2020: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC6932 Scientist Online

AEC 6932: Statistical Thinking in Behavioral Sciences
This is an introductory course designed to present basic fundamentals and statistical procedures to agriscience teachers, extensionists, and other educators or practitioners within agriculture and natural resources. It is designed to assist students in becoming better consumers of research. Statistical topics and techniques covered during this semester include descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and variability, probability, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, parametric and nonparametric testing, and multivariate techniques (partial correlation and multiple regression).

Typical course offering: Fall (even) and Summer

Fall 2022: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932 Statistical Thinking

Fall 2020: Dr. Sebastian Galindo, AEC6932 Statistical Thinking

AEC 6932: Strategies for Success as a University Faculty Member 
Roles and responsibilities of university faculty members in agricultural education and communication; performance expectations; strategies for successful tenure and promotion; planning and executing teaching, research, and extension programs based upon formal position assignments.

Typical course offering: Fall

Fall 2023: Dr. Brian Myers, AEC6932 Faculty Success

Fall 2022: Dr. Brian Myers, AEC6932 Faculty Success

Fall 2020: Dr. Ed Osborne, AEC6932 Faculty Success

AEC 6932: Communicating about Agricultural and Natural Resource Research
This course will focus on the planning and production of written, digital, and visual instructional and communication materials designed to support outreach programs in the sciences. Graduate students in scientific disciplines will learn to think critically and creatively, with respect to developing outreach programs to engage the public about the importance of science. Students will learn how public engagement and outreach can be used to convey the public value of their own work.

Typical course offering: Spring and Summer (odd; taught online)

Spring 2024: Dr. Lisa Lundy, AEC6932

Spring 2021: Dr. Lisa Lundy, AEC6932

AEC 6932: Applied Data Analysis and Interpretation        
Concepts and methods drawn from the social sciences for analyzing data in the human dimensions of agricultural and natural resource issues.

Typical course offering: Spring (even years)

Spring 2020: Dr. Glenn Israel, AEC6932 Data Analysis

AEC 6932: Issues in Agricultural and Life Sciences
Methods used to effectively communicate, inform, and influence policy decisions about agricultural and life sciences issues. 

Spring 2021: Dr. J.C. Bunch & Ms. Becky Raulerson, AEC6932

AEC 6932: Podcasting to Increase Science Literacy
Podcasting to Increase Science Literacy is an undergraduate/graduate cross-listed college course designed to raise your awareness of science literacy concepts, how to engage in public conversations about controversial issues, how to interview scientists, how to edit scientific audio interviews, and how to ultimately produce a podcast series with the goal of increasing the public’s science literacy.

Typical course offering: Spring

Spring 2024: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC6932

Spring 2023: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC6932-2

Spring 2021: Dr. Jamie Loizzo, AEC6932

AEC 6932: Developing and Conducting Needs Assessments in Domestic & International Extension Settings
This course is intended to help educators in the field of extension and other non-formal education organizations: (a) acquire an understanding of needs assessments from theory to practice and (b) strengthen or develop their skills in planning and conducting needs assessments within domestic and international extension settings.

Typical course offering: Spring (even years)

Spring 2020: Dr. Amy Harder, AEC6932 Needs Assessments

AEC 6932: Partisanship in Agriculture and Natural Resources
Stakeholder conflict and political division contribute to and impede the resolution of environmental issues. Therefore, our effectiveness as agriculture and natural resources professionals requires the ability to navigate the sociopolitical systems that influence stakeholder perspectives. This course will examine the psychological and social mechanisms that cause people to divide on agriculture and natural resources topics. 

Fall 2023: Dr. Sadie Hundemer, AEC6932 Partisanship in ANR

AEC 6932: Using Perception Analyzers in Agricultural Communication Research
The purpose of this course is to learn how to use perception analyzer dials in social science research in applied and scholarly research settings. Additionally, students will learn the important role technology can play in understanding human perceptions and experiences with dynamic visual content. 

Summer C 2022: Dr. Lauri Baker, AEC6932

AEC 6971: Research for Master's Thesis
Research for master's thesis students. At least three hours are required. 

Typical course offering: Fall, Spring, and Summer

*No syllabus required

AEC 6980: Research Proposal Development  
This course is designed to assist students in the preparation of their thesis or dissertation research proposal. Students will submit an acceptable draft of the first three chapters of their thesis/dissertation proposal by the end of the course.

Typical course offering: Summer

Summer C 2022: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC6980

Summer C 2021: Dr. J.C. Bunch, AEC6980

Summer C 2020: Dr. Ed Osborne, AEC6980

AEC 7979: Advanced Research
Research for doctoral students before admission to candidacy. Designed for students with a master's degree in the field of study or for students who have been accepted for a doctoral program. Not appropriate for students who have been admitted to candidacy.

Typical course offering: Fall, Spring and Summer

*No syllabus required

AEC 7980: Research for Doctoral Dissertation
Research for doctoral students who have been admitted to candidacy.

Typical course offering: Fall, Spring and Summer

*No syllabus required