2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY5132M Global Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture

15 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Beth Dyson
Email: B.Dyson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

In this module, you will learn about past, current and future challenges for current and future food production. This will include understanding the major drivers for change in food and agricultural systems, UK and global food security, and strategies for increased sustainability, resilience and climate adaptation agriculture. You will work in small groups to produce a science communication output for a relevant non-scientific audience, developing teamwork and leadership skills. This module features a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Objectives

The module aims to develop a breadth of knowledge about current and potential future issues in sustainable agriculture and food production. This content will be delivered via seminars and lectures. The module will also develop skills in team working, reflective practice and leadership by working as part of a small group to produce an assessment. Students will attend skills-based tutorials to aid their development of these skills.

Learning outcomes
1. Describe and discuss the major issues in global sustainable agriculture.
2. Lead and work within a small group to produce a communication output.
3. Assess global and local sustainability targets and their relevance to agriculture and food production, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, net zero targets and national determined contributions.
4. Inform, persuade or teach a non-specialist audience about a current or future issue in sustainable agriculture.
5. Compare existing strategies to ameliorate or mitigate these issues and evaluate the potential of novel approaches.
6. Reflect honestly and effectively on personal performance in a communication group task.

Skills outcomes
Reflection and performance evaluation skills.

Syllabus

Agriculture and food production is a significant contributor to a number of global issues, including biodiversity loss, environmental degradation on climate change. In addition, food security is threatened by population increases, yield gaps and climate change. This module will introduce these concepts in lectures and seminars, as well as examining the potential changes needed to address these issues. The taught content in the module is designed to inspire students to research their own areas of interest in their independent study time.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	6	1.00	6.00
seminars	2	1.00	2.00
Tutorials	5	2.00	10.00
Group learning	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			127.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Lectures will provide inspiration for students to carry out significant further research to produce their written assessments. Students will work independently on group assigned tasks for assessment and production of their individual assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be working in groups where they will receive peer feedback on their ideas. Feedback from staff will be through two drop-in tutorials where students can verbally pitch their ideas for assessment, and bring short pieces of work (1 page) for more in-depth feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	50.00
Group Project	Science communication output	25.00
Reflective log	1,000 - 1,500 words	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Assessment in the form of group work will be an individual resit.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/07/2024

Disclaimer

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