Module: Excursion to the Tropics and Subtropics (4907-490)

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Folkard Asch (verantwortlich)

Degree Program:

• Environmental Science - Soil, Water, and Biodiversity (Regulations 2019) (Master, since 01.04.2019)
  2. Semester, elective
• Agricultural Sciences - Agricultural Economics (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  2. Semester, elective
• Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  2. Semester, elective
• Landscape Ecology (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  2. Semester, elective
• Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics (until WS 2018/19) (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  2. Semester, elective
• Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics (from WS 2019/20 on) (Master, since 01.10.2019)
  2. Semester, elective

Relation to other Modules:

to all modules related to the Tropics and Subtropics

Prerequisites for Attendance:

Master students of the Agricultural and Natural Sciences at the University of Hohenheim. Students interested in agricultural and rural development in the Tropics and Subtropics. Active participation in the seminars and in the excursion is expected. The excursion will last about two weeks. The group will leave from Stuttgart and return to Stuttgart. Individual travel plans are not supported. Applicants have to clearly show their particular interest in development-oriented/tropical sciences by having passed successfully at least two modules related to the tropics.

Sprache:

English

ECTS:

6 credits

Frequency:

every 2 years

Length of the Module:

2 semester

Compulsory assignment:

oral presentation, term paper and excursion report

Module examination:

oral presentation (20%), term paper (20%) and excursion report (60%)

Length of the examination:

120 minutes

Workload:

56 h presence + 104 h preparation at home + exam = 160 h workload

Professional competences:

The excursion provides the students a guided on-site experience in a developing country and the opportunity to complement theoretical knowledge obtained during lectures with practical experience in the field. Destinations are chosen along natural and agro-ecosystems and agricultural production, livestock husbandry and farming systems.
The students
- gain a detailed and embracing insight into the natural resource endowment, the agricultural and food-sector and the related extension, research and teaching systems on-site.
- discuss and evaluate relevant issues with local research, government and non-governmental development organisations, with farmers and extension officers
- prepare presentations to selected topics related to the country of destination and its main agricultural activities
- give oral presentation
- write reports during the field trip
- combine the different reports to a joint excursion report.

Key competences:

Student will develop a fact based understanding of agricultural production systems in the Tropics. The students will understand the conceptual relationship between agro-ecological zone, environment and agricultural production and will be able to evaluate the social and political context based on availability and use of natural resources.

Comments:

The announcement of the excursion, the application for participation and the selection of participants will take place in Ilias. 18 to 20 students can be selected as participants. 3-7 preparatory seminars will be carried out during the semester prior to the excursion during which the students will prepare term papers and give oral presentations on selected topics. The excursion will take place during the lecture-free time at the end of the semester.

Courses