Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

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Course Descriptions

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications

Professors G. E. Briers, A. Larke,Jr., G.C. Shinn, D. P. Starr, C. D. Townsend (Head); Associate Professors B. L. Boyd, K. E. Dooley, C. D. Elbert, J. R. Lindner, T. H. Murphy, M. Piña, Jr., J.D. Townsend, T. A. Vestal, G. J. Wingenbach; Assistant Professors C. T. Boleman, S. R. Cummings, J. F. Harlin, M. J. McCormick, T. P. Murphrey, T. G. Roberts, M. H. Rosser, T. A. Rutherford, N. P. Stedman; Senior Lecturer D. W. Dunsford; Assistant Lecturers S. Felton, H. Musoma

Agricultural Leadership and Development
(ALED)

102. Critical Issues in Agricultural Leadership. (1-0). Credit 1. I, II

Explore resources in the department; research career and internship possibilities; identify, name and describe career setting for agricultural leadership and development; plan course of study and select courses in an emphasis area.

285.  Directed Studies in Agricultural Leadership and Development. Credit 1 to 4. 

Directed study of selected issue in agricultural leadership and development with emphasis on collection, synthesis and interpretation of information. Prerequisite:  Approval of department head.

289. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Special topics in an identified area of agricultural development. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.

291. Research. Credit 1 to 4.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in agricultural development. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Please see academic advisor in department. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.

301. Topics in Agricultural Leadership. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II

Gain insights into their personal leadership strengths, styles, motivation and values; plan a course for self-improvement as a leader. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

340. Professional Leadership Development. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Identification of styles and roles of leadership; development of leadership techniques and skills required in working with organizations and youth groups; methods of resolving conflict, of communicating, of guiding and of evaluating; ethical consideration for leaders. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.

341. Team Learning. (3-0). Credit 3.

Team development theory; emphasizes research on team member behaviors, team decision making models and positive conflict in team environments. Prerequisite: ALED 340.

342. Learning Organizations. (3-0). Credit 3.

Social systems language and archetypes; systems thinking theory including mental models, mastery, team learning, concept models of human organizations. Prerequisite: ALED 340.

343. Human Resource Management in Agriculture and Life Sciences. (3-0). Credit 3.

Principles, theories, concepts, techniques and applications for managing human resources in food and agricultural organizations and in local communities; attracting, staffing, training, developing and compensating human talent. Not intended for majors in business. Prerequisites: ALED 340; junior or senior classification.

344. Leadership of Volunteers. (3-0). Credit 3.

Principles, theories, concepts, techniques and applications for leading volunteers in agriculture and life sciences nonprofit, governmental and community organizations. Prerequisites: ALED 340 or AGED 340; junior or senior classification.

380.  Workshop in Agricultural Leadership and Development. Credit 1 to 4. 

The study, understanding and solution of human-agricultural problems based on theory learned in the classroom, library, laboratory and fieldwork completed by individuals and teams. Prerequisite:  Junior or senior classification.

400. Public Leadership Development. (3-0). Credit 3.

Major issues in the study of public leadership, development of leadership skills, and a field investigation done in conjunction with local public leaders. Prerequisites: Junior classification and approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CARC 400 and ENGR 400.

422. Cultural Pluralism in Agriculture. (3-0). Credit 3.

Selected topics on the diversity of human resources in agriculture; emphasis on working in a multicultural society and developing a sensitivity toward different cultures; explores the interrelationships between the contributions of diverse individuals and the state, nation and global success of agriculture. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

425. Principles of Program Evaluation in Agriculture and Life Sciences. (3-0). Credit 3.

Evaluation principles applied to education programs in agriculture and life sciences; conceptual understanding of and skills in program evaluation theory, development, process and practice; application of evaluation design and processes for youth and adults in extension, community and school-based programs. Prerequisites: ALED 340; junior or senior classification.

426. Methods in Adult Agricultural Education. (3-0). Credit 3.

Planning educational programs for adults in agriculture. Developing skill in use of group processes in teaching. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of department head.

440. Principles of Technological Change. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Processes by which professional change agents influence the introduction, adoption and diffusion of technological change. Applicable to persons who work closely with people. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of department head.

441. Agricultural Extension Organization and Methods. (3-0). Credit 3.

Cooperative extension in agriculture and home economics; development, objectives, organization, program building and methods of teaching. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.

442. Professional Communications in Agriculture and Life Sciences. (2-2). Credit 3.

Technological communication theory; instructional and presentation models; teaching strategies; multimedia development. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

481. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1.

Review of current literature and research as related to program development in light of legislation and policies affecting leadership, the broader fields of agriculture and life sciences and issues critical to the future of agriculture. Prerequisite: Senior classification in agricultural leadership and development.

485. Directed Studies in Agricultural Leadership Development. Credit 1 to 4.

Directed individual study of selected problems in agricultural leadership and development with emphasis on collection, analysis and presentation of information. Prerequisite:  Junior or senior classification.

489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Special topics in an identified area of agricultural development. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.

491. Research. Credit 1 to 4.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in agricultural development. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Please see academic advisor in department. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor.

494. Internship. Credit 1 to 6. I, II, S

Supervised internship and independent study related to student's professional interest. Prerequisites: ALED 301; junior or senior classification; 2.0 GPR; approval of instructor.