A course in which a student designs and carries out a directed study on selected topics or problems under the direction of a faculty member; eg, literature review. Directed study courses may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment. Students enrolling in a directed study will be required to use the University-wide on-line directed study contract process in order to enroll. prereq: department consent, instructor consent, no more than 6 credits of directed study counts towards CFANS major requirements.

Ecology of sharks and natural history of South Bimini Island. Marine ecosystems. Local flora and fauna. Local culture and development policy on the ecosystems. prereq: instr consent

Thai culture and conservation challenges. Two-day barge trip learning culture before traveling to Thailand's premier conservation research site. Camera-trapping techniques, prey assessment methods, and radio telemetry approaches to the study of large mammals. prereq: instr consent

French language/way of life. Heritage of French culture. prereq: instr consent

One would have thought that the ecological, climate, health, and social catastrophes of the last decade would have led to a green revolution and more sustainable societies, but that has not been the case. As a result, governments, corporations, consumers, and citizens will have to make deep meaningful changes to mitigating negative impacts to ecological biodiversity and natural resources. Of all sectors of the global economy, the agricultural and food sector is perhaps the most at risk. Producers within this industry are faced with the complicated equation being one of the principle causes of the problems listed above, while also retaining the responsibility to provide food for an ever-growing consumer base. Eating and good nutrition are vital human needs and food is a human right deeply rooted in culture and emotion. Food is a source of pleasure, a means of social integration, a reflection of cultural values, and of cultural identity. As a result, agrobusiness and food industry stakeholders are expected to meet the higher demand for food while also reassessing value chains, far beyond the classic economic and marketing approach, by introducing ecological, social, and cultural indicators when assessing operational standard and economic growth. is context, the idea of a terroir-driven food system represents strong sustainable alternative to standard commercial agricultural practices. While the term of terroir originates in western European countries such as Italy and France, the terroir approach is practiced worldwide. Terroir-centered food products, local food products, traditional food products, no matter what it is called, it is about the producing within a limited geographical area and producing products with unique characteristics recognizable to the people who live there. Content for this 4-week course, conducted in English, will be delivered via in-class lectures/presentations; educational field trips and cultural visits to Paris, the Loire Valley, Brittany, Normandy; group projects; and case studies. prereq: instr consent In th

Explore four different areas of world (Minnesota, Morocco, Nepal, Costa Rica) by networking with locals on ground in each region through online interactions. Food, agriculture, environment. Biophysical/socio-cultural aspects of agroecosystems through unique multi-disciplinary lens.

This course provides a multi-disciplinary look at problems (and some of the possible solutions) affecting food production, distribution, and requirements for the seven plus billion inhabitants of this planet. It is co-taught by a plant geneticist (Morrell) and an economist (Runge) who together have worked on international food production and policy issues for the past 40 years. Historical context, the present situation and future scenarios related to the human population and food production are examined. Presentations and discussions cover sometimes conflicting views from multiple perspectives on population growth, use of technology, as well as the ethical and cultural values of people in various parts of the world. The global challenge perspective is reflected in attention to issues of poverty, inequality, gender, the legacy of colonialism, and racial and ethnic prejudice. Emphasis is placed on the need for governments, international assistance agencies, international research and extension centers, as well as the private sector to assist in solving the complex problems associated with malnutrition, undernutrition, obesity, and sustainable food production. Through a better understanding of world food problems, this course enables students to reflect on the shared sense of responsibility by nations, the international community and ourselves to build and maintain a stronger sense of our roles as historical agents. Throughout the semester students are exposed to issues related to world food problems through the lenses of two instructors from different disciplinary backgrounds. The core issues of malnutrition and food production are approached simultaneously from a production perspective as well as an economic and policy perspective throughout the semester. This is a Grand Challenge Curriculum course. GCC courses are open to all students and fulfill an honors experience for University Honors Program students.

Ecological/ethical concerns of food production systems in global agriculture: past, present, and future. Underlying ethical positions about how agroecosystems should be configured. Decision cases, discussions, videos, other media.

Ecological/ethical concerns of food production systems in global agriculture: past, present, and future. Underlying ethical positions about how agroecosystems should be configured. Interactive learning using decision cases, discussions, videos, other media.

Indicators of economic development, growth in trade, and welfare of developing countries. Globalization. Drivers of growth, productivity, technical change, and research. Comparative advantage. Distribution consequences of trade. Trade policy instruments/institutions. prereq: [1101 or ECON 1101], [1101H or ECON 1101H], [1102 or ECON 1102], [1102H or ECON 1102H]; 3001, 3006 recommended

Characteristics and performance of peasant agriculture; potential role of agriculture in economic development, and design of economic policies to achieve agricultural and economic development; role of women in agricultural development. prereq: 1101, 1102, Econ 1101, 1102, or instr consent

International perspectives on resource use and sustainable development. Integration of natural resource issues with social, economic, and policy considerations. Agriculture, forestry, agroforestry, non-timber forest products, water resources, certification, development issues. Global case studies. Impact of consumption in developed countries on sustainable development in lesser developed countries.

Current world trends for industrial raw materials; environmental/other tradeoffs related to options for satisfying demand/needs; global and systemic thinking; provides a framework for beginning a process of thinking critically about complex environmental problems/potential solutions in a diverse global economy.