The course focuses on the sustainability of the human food systems. Agricultural systems in Australia and internationally will be examined from a complex systems perspective at local, national and global scales, covering production, transport, storage, manufacturing and use of food and fibre. An interdisciplinary approach will provide historical, geographical, social and political perspectives on agriculture in Australia. Key concepts in agricultural management and development will be introduced and discussed including rural livelihoods, agro-ecology, sustainability, food security, adaptation, conservation agriculture, value chains and innovation systems. In addition to social and economic systems, biophysical and production systems will be studied, including fertility management and nutrient cycling, pest and disease control, input replacement and system redesign, genetic engineering and energy inputs and outputs. Production issues will be integrated into the broader social, cultural and economic contexts of family farming and agri-business, consumer demand and marketing, international trade and rural policy. Examples will be drawn from Australia, and a range of other countries including Indonesia, Syria, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India. The course will include fieldwork with farm and food industry enterprises designed to give students first hand experience of issues and topics raised in lectures. Attendance on field trips is a course requirement.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- apply key concepts in Human Ecology to rural systems, and communicate these to a range of audiences in effective written and oral form
- understand and explain key rural systems concepts and perspectives
- critically examine complex rural systems using a range of frameworks and tools
- describe constraints and opportunities for future sustainable non-urban living.
- To be able to engage in both a theoretical and practical approach to regional, national and global world policy settings.
Other Information
Biennial course. Not offered in 2014. Next Offered in 2015.
Indicative Assessment
- Presentation (20-25%) (LO 1, 2, 3, 5)
- practical report (20-25%) (LO 1, 2, 3, 5)
- major field research report (40-50%) (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
65 contact hours contact comprising lectures, practicals and fieldwork in a semi-intensive mode over 9 weeks of second semester.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Areas of Interest
- Geography
- Human Ecology
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability
- Resource Management and Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Policy Studies
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $1650 | |
| 2014 | $2946 | |
| 2013 | $2946 | |
| 2012 | $2946 | |
| 2011 | $2946 | |
| 2010 | $2916 | |
| 2009 | $2916 | |
| 2008 | $2916 | |
| 2007 | $2520 | |
| 2006 | $2520 | |
| 2005 | $2520 | |
| 2004 | $2160 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3606 |
| 2014 | $3762 |
| 2013 | $3756 |
| 2012 | $3756 |
| 2011 | $3756 |
| 2010 | $3750 |
| 2009 | $3618 |
| 2008 | $3618 |
| 2007 | $3618 |
| 2006 | $3618 |
| 2005 | $3618 |
| 2004 | $3618 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1665 | 13 Jul 2015 | 13 Jul 2015 | 31 Jul 2015 | 18 Sep 2015 | In Person | N/A |