International Agriculture and Natural Resources Minor

Globalization and feeding the world’s projected 2050 population of 9 billion has made international experiences nearly obligatory for students to excel in the professional workforce. This minor will prepare undergraduate students to sustainably meet the challenges of global food and natural resources security while concurrently conserving ecosystems and biodiversity.

The learning outcomes of this minor are:

understand the interdependency across nations to produce food and natural resources,
appreciate the connectedness of food and natural resources production on natural ecosystems and global processes, and
comprehend strategies by which agricultural products and natural resource use can be sustainably procured.

More information on the minor can be obtained on the Herbert College of Agriculture (Herbert) website or by contacting the Herbert Student International Experiences Coordinator, Adam Willcox (974-1557, awillcox@utk.edu). Students wishing to declare the minor must contact the Student International Experiences Coordinator for advising. The minor may also fulfill multiple requirements for the University of Tennessee Peace Corps Prep Program.

Minor Requirements

The minor consists of 15 hours, and includes five 3-hour courses from four categories. Some of the classes listed may have prerequisites. At least 8 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Category 1 – International Agriculture and Natural Resources Sustainability

This category introduces students to explore global agriculture and natural resources issues. This will enable students to choose topics and courses of interest in Categories 2 and 3 as they progress in the minor. Students may choose the introductory course for the minor, AGNR 180 *. This course addresses global food and natural resources security and conservation issues by focusing on the interconnectedness of food and natural resources physical, cultural, political, and socioeconomic systems. This course also highlights current UTIA international research, teaching, and extension projects and prepares students to succeed during their international experience (see Category 2). Students unable to accommodate AGNR 180 * into their schedules may substitute any 100 or 200 level course from Category 3 below. Select one course:

AGNR 180 - Global Dynamics: Food, Biodiversity, and the Environment *
Any 100 or 200 level course from Category 3. If used in Category 1, the course cannot be counted again to fulfill Category 3 requirements.

Category 2 – Experience and Preparedness in International Agriculture and Natural Resources

Students will travel to a foreign country or attain intermediate proficiency in a foreign language to be competent in foreign cultures or languages. Students obtain international agriculture and natural resources travel educational experiences by taking a faculty-led study abroad course, completing an international internship, or enrolling in a foreign academic institution. Courses and internships not listed below must have an agriculture and natural resources focus and be approved by the Herbert Student International Experiences Coordinator. Alternatively, students can achieve preparedness to enter into the international agricultural workforce by attaining Intermediate II or Intensive Intermediate levels of language proficiency. Select one course:

¹ AGNR 491 - International Experience in Agriculture and Natural Resources
² ESS 220 - Waters and Civilizations * (only when taught in a non-US location)
PLSC 491 - International Study: History and Culture of International Gardens and Landscapes *
WFS 425 - Tropical Ecology, Conservation, and Field Methods
³Short-term or semester abroad courses in international agriculture and natural resources offered at UT not listed above.
⁴Short-term of semester abroad courses in international agriculture and natural resources offered by institutions other than UT.
or
ARAB 222 - Intermediate Arabic II *
ASST 262 - Intermediate Persian II *
CHIN 232 - Intermediate Chinese II *
FREN 212 - Intermediate French II *
FREN 218 - Honors: Intermediate French II *
FREN 223 - Intensive Intermediate French *
GERM 212 - Intermediate German II *
GERM 223 - Intensive Intermediate German *
HEBR 242 - Intermediate Modern Hebrew II *
ITAL 212 - Intermediate Italian *
ITAL 223 - Intensive Intermediate Italian *
JAPA 252 - Intermediate Japanese II *
PERS 262 - Intermediate Persian II *
PORT 212 - Intermediate Portuguese *
PORT 223 - Intensive Intermediate Portuguese *
RUSS 202 - Intermediate Russian *
SPAN 212 - Intermediate Spanish II *
SPAN 218 - Honors: Intermediate Spanish II *
SPAN 223 - Intensive Intermediate Spanish *

Category 3 – Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Courses with an International Focus

In this category, students will gain proficiency in international agriculture and natural resources in their areas of interest. The courses offered include all Herbert departments, ensuring flexibility so that all majors can tailor the minor to their academic concentrations. The courses also include non-Herbert courses with high international agriculture and natural resources content. Select two courses⁴.

Category 4 – Capstone in International Agriculture and Natural Resources

In category 4, students will gain a deeper understanding of international agriculture and natural resources by working with faculty on an independent study project or with peers in a group setting to address international agriculture and natural resources challenges. Select one course:

Notes:

¹	The international experience is a planned experience in a foreign country, such as a study abroad program, semester abroad, or internship, with approval on a case-by-case basis. AGNR 491 may be taken incrementally as 1 or 2 credit hours over time to achieve the 3 credit hours required for category 2. AGNR 491 may also count for Category 3 if Category 2 has been satisfied by either coursework or another AGNR 491 in a country(ies) different than the first.
²	ESS 220 * is normally taught during the fall or spring semester at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This course can only meet the Category 2 requirement when it is taught at a non-US location (e.g., as mini-term in May in the Dominican Republic).
³	Students may select any course, internship, or experience offered at a foreign location during a mini-term, summer or semester abroad experience that transfers or provides 3 hours of credit at UTK. The course or internship must focus on agriculture and/or natural resources and should be pre-approved by the Herbert Student International Experiences Coordinator.
⁴	Students may substitute international study abroad courses from UT colleges other than Herbert to be added by petition. Students must provide syllabi from these courses to the Herbert Student International Experiences Coordinator that demonstrate adequate focus on international agriculture and natural resources.
⁵	Offered in fall semesters.
⁶	Offered in spring semesters.

* Meets University General Education Requirement .

Undergraduates

Graduate Students