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Agroecologists without Borders
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:09
Abstract
Students will focus on ways to reach out to a wider public the complexity of science. Sub-topics like the role of socially engaged art, political ecologies, and decolonial food systems will be explored in the lecture. Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking on the connections between water, sanitation, food security and ways to sustainably improve food systems resilience.
Objective
(1) Students analyze one concrete example of an agricultural research project. (2) Students broaden their understanding of environmental and socio-economic challenges. (3) Engage with positive and empowering frameworks that motivate critical reflection and action on the types of transformative responses needed within agricultural and food systems. (4) Students articulate complexity and challenges in agricultural development interventions. (5) Students develop science communication skills by producing science communication materials in the context of the given case study. (6) Students practice their project management skills.
Content
In the spring term 2023 - the case study will be on nutrient cycling in South Africa. The case study is closely related to the ongoing research project " RUNRES – The rural-urban nexus: Establishing a nutrient loop to improve city region food systems resilience”. The relations between clean water, sanitation, food security and indigenous crops will be investigated through transdisciplinary and systemic approaches. Throughout the class, students will gain insights on ways to make science accessible and reachable for various stakeholders of the community. To facilitate community understanding of the role of chosen innovative systems in Msunduzi municipality, a science communication package will be developed in collaboration with students, key stakeholders and scholars from the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Resources
Literature
Gliessman, S.R., Méndez, V.E., Izzo, V.M., & Engles, E.W. (2022). Agroecology: Leading the Transformation to a Just and Sustainable Food System (4th ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003304043 Foster, J.B. (1999). Marx’s Theory of Metabolic Rift: Classical Foundations for Environmental Sociology. The American Journal of Sociology, vol 105(2). Oo. 366-405. Link Simha, P., Ganesapillia, M. (2017). Ecological sanitation and nutrient recovery from human urine: how far have we come? A review. Sustainable Environment Research, 27, 107-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.serj.2016.12.001 Caesar, M., Crush, J., & Hill, T. (2013). The State of Food Insecurity in Msunduzi Municipality, South Africa. AFSUN Food Security Series, (16) Source to book : https://www.alnap.org/system/files/content/resource/files/main/afsun16.pdf Jurgilevich, A., Birge, T., Kentala-Lehtonen, J., Korhonen-Kurki, K., Pietikainen, J., Saikku, L., Schosler, H. (2015). Transition towards circular economy in the food system. Sustainability, 8, 69. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/8/1/69
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Agroecologists without Borders |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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General Crop Science (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 22/23. As of the academic year 23/24, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)
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Sustainable Agricultural Development (The minor Transdisciplinarity for Sustainable Development was revised and renamed for the academic year 22/23. The course units that were previously offered are still part of the Sustainable Agricultural Development minor.)
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