Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Agriculture and Society (Face-to-Face)

AGSC 1010-01

Course: AGSC 1010-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 10087

Course Description

This course is designed to increase the student's awareness of the significant role agriculture plays in today's society, covering areas of science, economics, politics, culture, and history. Agriculture topics are used to teach critical thinking skills and other problem-solution methodologies. Will satisfy the General Education Life Science Knowledge Area. (Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Life Sciences

Required Texts

Text: none

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes:

-Students will gain an appreciation for the important role agriculture plays in their lives by understanding   more fully the concept of “from farm to fork”.

-Students will be exposed to the art, business, politics and particularly, the science of agriculture.

-Students will use critical thinking skills to address issues in agriculture.

-Students will recognize different processes used in decision making and problem solving.
-Students will learn about the history of agriculture and understand the setting that has created the realm modern day agriculture operates in.

-Students will better understand the intricacies of our food supply system.

-Students will have an opportunity to have hands-on experience at the University farm.

 


Life Science Essential Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the General Education Life Sciences requirement, students will be able to: (1) Describe and apply approaches to scientific discovery and interpretation of experimental data; (2) Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on biological systems; (3) Describe and apply evolutionary concepts in terms of inheritance, adaptation, and diversity of life; (4) Explain the mechanisms of information storage, expression, and exchange in living organisms or eco-systems; and (5) Reflect on the relevance of life sciences in a broader context.

Course Requirements

Assessment & Grading:

-Grades will be determined from your total score of quizzes, assignments, short papers, worksheets and projects, divided by the total points possible. The breakdown is as follows: 100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C; 69-60=D; below 60=F; + & – will be given where natural breaks occur. The Final will be Apr. 21 from 11am-1pm and we’ll plan on doing it at the SUU Farm.

-Quizzes - There will be no tests. Quizzes will be given usually once a week and will cover information given since the previous quiz.  The plan is to have you take them on Canvas. You will have between 10-15 minutes to complete each quiz, so you will need to study before taking it to complete it in that amount of time. Your 2 lowest quiz scores will be dropped. These dropped quizzes will be used for any reason you need – low score, missed quiz for whatever reason, etc.  If there are extenuating circumstances (medical or family emergency, etc.) where 2 low quiz scores are exceeded, up to 2 quiz make-up reports may be turned in for up to 80% of the score of each quiz. These reports will be 2-3 pages in length, and the topic will be determined by the professor and must be turned in before the last week of classes.

-Assignments - None of the other assignment scores will be dropped, they will all be included as part of your grade. Most of them will be turned in on Canvas. They will be due on the days and times indicated. Late assignments may be turned in for up to 70% credit up to one week after they are due. After one week, they will not be accepted. Note: Some of these assignments will be given in class to be completed during that class period, so come to class. Reading assignments will be on reserve in the library or will be provided in class.

 -Other – We will try using the DISCUSSIONS module in Canvas this semester. Some of you will be familiar with it. I am not so we will see how it goes. Also, depending on conditions, we may have an assignment to visit the SUU Farm during lambing season.  Details will be given later.

Course Outline

Topics covered:

Introduction – What is Agriculture?

Problem solving - decision making processes: Critical thinking, experience, scientific method, etc.

Importance of Agriculture - physical, economic, social, environmental and political perspectives

General topics may include: 

   Food Security 

   Government farm programs and organizations

   Rangeland issues

   Land acquisitions, land description and measurements

   Land losses - erosion and urbanization

   Western water - history, developments, and rights

   Food safety - pesticides, genetic engineering


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 Assignments will be due on the days and times indicated. Late assignments may be turned in for up to 70% credit up to one week after they are due. After one week, they will not be accepted. Note: Some of these assignments will be given in class to be completed during that class period, so come to class. Reading assignments will be on reserve in the library or will be provided in class. 

 -There will be no extra credit given except in special cases to be determined by the instructor.

 

Attendance Policy

Course policies and notes:         

- Regular attendance is expected however, if you are not feeling well, know that the class will be recorded on Zoom so it can be viewed later. It will not be available during class time. Ask the professor for the link.

-Discussion and participation is encouraged but disruptive activities will not be tolerated.

-Please be on time.

- Students are responsible for all material discussed in class, whether in attendance or not.  It is your responsibility to obtain notes from missed classes from someone other than the instructor. 


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.