Description: The course Cropping Systems of the Tropics (Ag 377), integrating agroecology, environmental impacts, and social dimensions, is part of the global health major. The course considers the environmental requirements of the major crops, their botany, and how they fit into local farming systems. It is for students with broad interests in tropical agriculture and food production. An intern would have the flexibility to consider a broad range of topics in a learner-centered small undergraduate course.
Semester(s): Spring
Institution: UW–Madison
Department(s): Agronomy (course is broad: Horticulture, plant pathology, sociology, agricultural and applied economics, and others would be a good fit)
Intern background needed: Course is broad. Some confidence in one of the following: Agronomy, Horticulture, Dairy/Animal Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soils, Ecology, Sociology, Agricultural Economics
Course: Agronomy 377 – Cropping Systems of the Tropics
Course info: 150 students maximum; learner-centered with small group discussions and activities. Please see this two-minute video for advertising the Agronomy 377 course (Cropping Systems of the Tropics/Global food production and health).
Course time/day: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 – 3:45 pm.
Challenges a project might address include:
Potential guest teaching topics/units: Many options
Teaching strategies of interest:
Teaching strategies currently used: Connecting my course to real-world student experiences, problem- or project-based learning, incorporating case studies, active learning techniques, technology-supported learning (online homework, blended learning, flipped classroom, videos, cellphones as clickers, etc.), incorporating reflective or content-based writing assignments efficiently, ‘performance’ assessments (e.g. presentations, mock grant proposals), collaborative learning/small group assignments or projects, inclusive teaching strategies
Contact: Valentin Picasso Risso, picassorisso@wisc.edu