College of Agriculture— Agricultural & Rural Policy Studies
This undergraduate degree emphasizes the application of social science knowledge to issues related to agriculture and society. The interdisciplinary major draws largely on courses from sociology, political science and economics. Its goal is to prepare students to become leaders in addressing complex issues related to the social and human dimensions of agriculture at both the local and global level. Students will learn social science concepts and skills to understand, analyze and communicate complex ideas, information and data related to agricultural systems.
Internships are an important part of the Agricultural & Rural Policy Studies major. The curriculum offers the flexibility needed to accommodate the special interests and needs of each student.
Student Learning Outcomes
The curriculum is designed to provide students with the following skills and competencies:
- Recognize, analyze and evaluate the critical human and social factors (e.g. practices, policies, laws, institutions) impacting agriculture.
- Understand the social dimensions of agriculture and its connections with food and environmental systems.
- Develop problem solving, critical thinking, and leadership skills to positively influence human impacts on agriculture.
- Understand the perspectives of diverse stakeholders and develop strategies to communicate clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
Students will develop the necessary skills to become effective leaders with companies, local, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies that work on agricultural, food and environmental related issues. Graduates can work as public policy analysts, government relations, public relations, program analyst, program specialists, marketing, sales, agriculture, educators, and executive directors.
Curriculum in Agricultural & Rural Policy Studies
Administered by the Department of Sociology
Total Degree Requirement: 128 cr.
Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.
International Perspective: 3 cr.
U.S. Diversity: 3 cr.
Communications Proficiency (C or better):
Communication/Library:
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| or AGEDS 311 | Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences |
| P R 305 | Publicity Methods | 3 |
| or AGEDS 327 | Survey of Agriculture and Life Sciences Communication |
| LIB 160 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.
Ethics: 3 cr.
3 cr. from approved list.
Life Sciences: 6 cr.
| BIOL 101 | Introductory Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 211 | Principles of Biology I |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
Mathematical and Physical Sciences: 12 cr.
| MATH 150 | Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| or MATH 140 | College Algebra |
| STAT 101 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
| or STAT 104 | Introduction to Statistics |
| 5 |
| Introduction to Weather and Climate | |
| Introduction to Weather and Climate |
| |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies Required 35 cr.
Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies Electives 15 cr.
| AGEDS 312 | Science With Practice | 3 |
| AGRON 342 | World Food Issues: Past and Present | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 236 | Agricultural Selling | 3 |
| ECON 321 | Economics of Discrimination | 3 |
| ECON 334 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 3 |
| ECON 337 | Agricultural Marketing | 3 |
| ECON 385 | Economic Development | 3 |
| ECON 460 | Agricultural, Food, and Trade Policy | 3 |
| POL S 235 | Introduction to Ethics and Politics | 3 |
| POL S 121 | Introduction to International Politics | 3 |
| POL S 125 | Democracy and Dictatorship: Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL S 319 | Law and Politics | 3 |
| POL S 335 | Science, Technology, and Public Policy | 3 |
| POL S 420 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| SOC 302 | Research Methods for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 310 | Community | 3 |
| SOC 334 | Politics and Society | 3 |
| SOC 348 | Global Poverty, Resources and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| SOC 350 | Women in Agriculture and the Food System | 3 |
| SOC 401 | Contemporary Sociological Theories | 3 |
| SOC 411 | Social Change in Developing Countries | 3 |
| WGS 301 | International Perspectives on Women and Gender | 3 |
Agricultural Science Electives: 9 c r.
Complete 9 cr. from AGRON, AN S, ENT, FS HN, HORT, or NREM.
Minor or Area of Concentration: 15 cr.
Complete 15 cr. for minor or area of concentration.
Electives: 14 cr.
Complete 14 cr. of free electives
Graduate Study
The department offers work for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with majors in sociology and rural sociology and minor work for students majoring in other departments. For M.S. and Ph.D. departmental requirements, see Program of Graduate Study for Degrees in Sociology and Rural Sociology, available from the department office. The department offers concentrations in a number of areas, e.g., community studies and development; sociology of families, inequality, food systems, agriculture and environment; methodology; social change and development; criminology; the economy, organizations and work; and social psychology. The Department of Sociology does not offer a nonthesis master’s program.
Graduates have a broad understanding of sociology, address complex societal problems, and communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. They understand sociological theory, conduct research, and are prepared to educate college students and contribute to public policy. Although the department stipulates no language requirement for either the degree master of science or the degree doctor of philosophy, specifying competence in one or more languages may be desirable in some instances.
The department also participates in the interdepartmental program in interdepartmental majors in sustainable agriculture, transportation and water resources, and interdepartmental minors in gerontology (see Index).
