agr3com rural communities
RURAL COMMUNITIES, INNOVATION AND CHANGE
AGR3COM
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Students of this subject will explore and apply principles and practices of innovation and change management to individuals, groups, communities and their networks in rural contexts including new technologies and their impact on communities and production. Case studies will be used to analyse evidence of the effectiveness and efficiency of extension work in Australian and international contexts. Students will consider the range of roles and opportunities for an extension worker, develop an understanding of collaborative approaches to community engagement, and extend their skills as reflective professionals. Students will undertake a small action learning project to facilitate change on a specific issue in a community, including the demonstration of effective communication and negotiation with stakeholders.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorPeter Sale
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Admission into SBATE
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Communication for rural innovation: rethinking agricultural extension | Recommended | Leeuwis C, Van Den Ban, A, Hawkins, A & Zijp, W 2004 | 3RD EDN, BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, OXFORD. |
| Readings | Heartland: The regeneration of rural place | Recommended | Main, G 2005 | UNSW PRESS, SYDNEY. |
| Readings | In Search of sustainability | Recommended | Goldie J, Douglas B & Furness B (eds) 2005 | COLLINGWOOD, CSIRO PUBLISHING. |
| Readings | Learning and professional development in advisory services: supporting the reflective practitioner | Recommended | Paine M, Nettle, R & Coats, S 2004 | 6TH INTERNATIONAL FARMING SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM, VILA REAL, PORTUGAL, PP. 653-662. |
| Readings | Rural Links, http://www.abc.net.au/rural/link/index3.htm | Recommended | ABC Rural, 2004 | ABC, SYDNEY |
| Readings | Rural and Regional Communities | Recommended | Grigorian M 2005 | NSW DEPT. OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, SYDNEY. |
| Readings | Sustainability and change in rural Australia | Recommended | Cocklin, C & Dibden, J (eds) 2004 | UNSW PRESS, SYDNEY |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Identify and describe concepts of rural communities, networks, their social and economic functions and strategies for community engagement
- Activities:
- Lectures and tutorials will outline the social concepts of the importance of communities and networks in rural business and life. Case studies of professional, industry and social bodies at the local, regional and national level will be used in tutorials as the basis for discussion.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
02. Critique principles and practices of innovation and change in rural communities
- Activities:
- Lectures and tutorials will outline the principles and importance of innovation and change in rural and business settings. Case studies analysing both successful and unsuccessful innovations will be studied and discussed. On-going change such as the demise of country towns will be discussed as a pertinent example.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
03. Identify and describe principles and practices of effective communication and negotiation with stakeholders using new technologies to develop networks in rural communities
- Activities:
- The use and place of electronic and social media as well as tradition forms of communication will be discussed in lectures and tutorials. Simulated negotiation using role plays and similar techniques to demonstrate principles will be used. Students will set up networks and explore different forms of writing for disparate audiences.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
04. Research and evaluate principles of innovation and change management and apply to rural community based issues
- Activities:
- Case studies will be used to evaluate principles to ensure successful change. Students will analyse and discuss their findings in tutorials and the application of these findings to rural community issues.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
05. Present innovation and change management practices to rural communities to facilitate community development using academic conventions
- Activities:
- Student will discuss the use of a selection of media to facilitate change in a selected community for a specific issue. The promotion of this change will be presented to the class and peer assessed.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Writing(Writing)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Epping, 2015, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPeter Sale
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
Two 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (2000 words) | 30 | 01, 02, 04, 05 | |
| Report and presentation (15 minutes) | 30 | 04, 05 | |
| Tutorial Exercises (4 x group presentations 10 minutes) | 40 | 01, 02, 03 |