Module Information
Module Identifier
BR29910
Module Title
Contemporary issues in UK agriculture
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Semester
Summer
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Reflective log (1,500 words) | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Presentation (15 minutes) | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Reflective log (1,500 words) | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Review (in lieu of presentation) (1,000 words) | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of Welsh and UK agricultural production systems
2. Identify factors affecting Welsh and UK agricultural production systems
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of science in UK agriculture
4. Critically evaluate the impact of UK agricultural production systems in the context of climate change
Brief description
- This module is for Fullbright scholarship students only **
Content
Introduction to Welsh and UK agriculture
Arable and livestock production systems
Agricultural productivity and food security
Agricultural production and climate
Role of science in agriculture
Arable and livestock production systems
Agricultural productivity and food security
Agricultural production and climate
Role of science in agriculture
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing and how to how to present their arguments most effectively. They will learn the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to best advantage. They will learn to be clear in their writing and speaking and to be direct about aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic, focus and objectives of their argument or discussion. The presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be required to adapt their ideas to solutions by working with others and be mindful and respectful to the opinions of others. Students will need to develop their ideas using evidence-based arguments. In this process, students will develop a resilience to having their opinions and strategies challenged and develop new ideas in order to adapt. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to present their ideas using digital technologies such as Power point to effectively communicate their ideas and findings. They will also present a written report using word processing software and be expected to present data effectively using appropriate visual techniques. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will reflect on the material they have covered during lectures, seminars and field visits to farms and places of cultural value to Welsh agriculture and rural communities. These experiences will then be reflected upon in their academic assessments. |
| Problem solving | Discussion during lectures and seminars will build towards bespoke problem solving Y FELS/1920/138 MAFscenarios related to the topics under discussion including topics related to direct and indirect challenges to Welsh and UK food production. Students will develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. Students will be asked to develop points of view, interpret data and estimate solutions to problems using evidence and logical reasoning. |
| Research skills | Students will critically evaluate the scientific literature on the issues facing UK agriculture. Students will also be required to interpret data in the formulation of ideas and present evidence-based reasoning for their findings. |
| Subject Specific Skills | As well as interpreting and communicating scientific evidence for the contemporary issues facing UK agriculture, students will gather a real-world sense of these issues with visits to working livestock farms and cultural events relating to agriculture. Students have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that help them to understand, conceptualize and evaluate examples and ideas on the module. These subject specific skills include: -Collecting and understanding a wide rangeof data relating to the module-Evaluating competing perspectives-Developing and evaluating solutions to challenges in agriculture. |
| Team work | Students will be required to communicate effectively with others and build skills ineffective teamwork by discussing contemporary agricultural issues, dealing with on-farm issues and discussing some of the benefits and limitations of some technological advances. Students will alsodiscuss the science relating to the developments of agricultural production systems and solutions to some of the current hot topics in agriculture. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5