Agricultural Extension (AGRI90093)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville) and Online
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - On Campus Semester 2 - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
A common and important role that agricultural scientists and agri-business service providers play is within agricultural research projects or initiatives of agricultural industries and government targeting changes in practice or adoption amongst the farming population or in particular rural communities/catchments. This subject will provide students with the theory and practice of agricultural extension. Agricultural extension encompasses the practices involved in designing, delivering and evaluating interventions that facilitate desired change within a target population related to improved economic, environmental or social outcomes.
The subject covers the four main aspects of contemporary agricultural extension considerations: the history and philosophy of extension and extension policy in a global context; social theories of change; design principles for agricultural extension within an agricultural knowledge and innovation system; delivery strategies, methods and tools; evaluation of interventions and ethical dimensions of extension practice.
To achieve competency and professionalism in each of these aspects, extension practitioners must understand both the practical dimensions of designing and delivering change projects as well as the development of theories of action that underpin the design and allow for critical testing and evaluation of strategies. This includes understanding of target populations for particular agricultural change topics and the processes involved in change; the description and analysis of knowledge networks and communities of practice; how to construct learning and collaboration processes; processes of multi-stakeholder engagement and management, collaboration dynamics, and the political perspectives on change visions.
Topics covered in the subject include:
- History and philosophy of agricultural extension policy and practice in Australia and overseas
- Key concepts and approaches in contemporary agricultural extension
- Social theories of change, the role of theories of action
- Agricultural extension design principles: change outcomes, change stakeholders; change audiences, change processes
- Agricultural extension delivery strategies, methods and tools: top-down/bottom-up/co-development strategies; Individual and group methods; communication and engagement tools (e.g. social marketing; education and training; open learning communities; campaigns)
- Evaluating extension: theory, ethics, politics and power; methods
- Leadership and management of extension processes
Intended learning outcomes
- Critically reflect on the evolution of agricultural extension and extension policy around the world and the role of agricultural extension in a contemporary context.
- Design, explain and assess an engagement strategy for a project or activity involving different stakeholders and audiences
- Assess an extension project based on theories of change and including analysis of different strategies, methods and tools in delivery as well as suited evaluation approaches.
- Design, plan, and evaluate an extension project or program
Generic skills
- A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
- Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
- An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
- Utilise appropriate communication technology
- Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
- Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
- Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
- Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
- Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
- Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
- Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
On campus availability: Online quiz (multiple choice and short answer): contemporary agricultural extension and social theories of change (10 questions) due end of week 4
| Week 4 | 20% |
On campus availability: Compare and contrast two extension policies (different countries/states) due end of week 6
| Week 6 | 20% |
On campus availability: Evaluate an extension project, program or activity (field work and written or visual report/presentation) due end of week 10
| Week 10 | 20% |
On campus availability: Prepare and present an extension project plan on a specific topic for change due end of week 12
| Week 12 | 40% |
Additional details
Online availability - Only available to Master of Agribusiness students
- Online quiz (multiple choice and short answer): contemporary agricultural extension and social theories of change (10 questions and 1000 words) due end of week 4 (20%)
- Compare and contrast two extension policies (different countries/states) (1000 words) due end of week 6 (20%)
- Evaluate an extension project, program or activity (field work and written or visual report/presentation) (equivalent to 1000 words) due end of week 10 (20%)
- Prepare and present an extension project plan on a specific topic for change (1500 words) due end of week 12 (40%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2 - On Campus
Principal coordinator Ruth Nettle Coordinator Helen McGregor Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 hour/week contact hours – lectures (24 hours) and 1.25 hours/week contact hours - on-line discussion forum (total of 40 hours) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
- Semester 2 - Online
Principal coordinator Ruth Nettle Coordinator Helen McGregor Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 2 hour/week contact hours – lectures (24 hours) and 1.25 hours/week contact hours - on-line discussion forum (total of 40 hours) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Additional delivery details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022