CSA-31306 Masterclass Organic Agriculture

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

BSc relevant to MOA

Contents:

This course links all courses and the thesis within MOA. Special attention is given to action learning and research. The students run through successive stages of proposal writing. Presentation skills are practiced via presentations of the research proposal and (preliminary) results.

Learning outcomes:

After the course the students are expected to be able to:
- give an overview of the developments and topical debates in organic agriculture and related research;
- reflect on knowledge generation and learning processes;
- understand and employ action research-like methodologies in research;
- take the steps involved in writing a sound research proposal;
- understand the meaning of research ethics;
- present a research proposal and research results;
- evaluate 'outside' research contributions and relate them to the intended thesis research;
- assess presentations of research proposals and (preliminary) results by others.

Activities:

Lectures, group work, excursion, literature study, writing and presentation of research proposals, essay writing. Students are also expected to attend and reflect on minimally 3 presentations within WUR related to Organic Agriculture in a short reflection paper that they post on the course's website.

Examination:

Skills (shown proficiency), reflection papers: 20 %, research proposals: 30 %, presentations 30 %, assessments 20%. All components have to be completed with a mark of 5.5 or higher.

Literature:

Study guide and reader; the course will be partially ICT-based.