Developing Leaders and Improving Lives in the World's Developing Countries
For undergraduate students who wish to focus on/or explore the possibilities in International Agriculture and Rural Development, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell has two options. Students may choose a major in International Agriculture and Rural Development or minor in International Studies while majoring in any other field of study in CALS.
The IARD major leads to a B.S. in Agriculture: This B.S. in international agriculture and rural development provides students with an understanding of the special problems of applying basic knowledge to the processes of agricultural and rural development in low-income countries. The student chooses an area of concentration within the major and works with an advisor to plan an individualized program of study. Areas of concentration include 1) social development and livelihoods, 2) food systems, and 3) environment and ecosystems. The core curriculum and areas of concentration are designed to acquaint students with relevant socioeconomic factors, the physical and biological aspects of tropical crops and animal production, and issues of resource management and sustainability in low-income countries.
The program provides a broad introduction to the issues of international development and is offered primarily for those students whose plans may include:
Some graduates volunteer with non-governmental organizations or Peace Corps immediately upon graduation, gaining field experience prior to entering the job market or graduate school.
In addition to the college distribution requirements, students in international agriculture and rural development must take a minimum of 50 credits toward the major. A minimum of 18 credits from a core curriculum (in addition to foreign language) are required, eight of which should be in international agriculture and rural development (IARD). The foreign language requirement for the IARD major is identical to that of the College of Arts and Sciences (see language requirments). Other coursework is drawn from a wide range of disciplines, consistent with the student’s chosen concentration. Students are expected to complete an overseas field study experience (minimum of six weeks); Approved Exchange Program, Study Abroad, Internship Activity or other pre-approved international activities*. The objective is to familiarize students with the many facets of agricultural and rural development in low-income countries.
The following 18 credit hour core curriculum is required of all IARD majors. This interdisciplinary set of courses provides a broad overview of issues related to socio-economic development, food security and environmental sustainability in developing countries. Students typically take CSS 1900, D SOC 2050 and IARD 2020 during the freshman year, AEM 2000 and IARD 4030 during the sophomore or junior year, and IARD 4010/6010 or IARD 4020/6020 during the senior year.
AEM 2000* - Contemporary Controversies in the Global Economy (3 credits)
CSS 1900 - Sustainable Agriculture: Food, Farming and the Future (3 credits)
D SOC 2050 - International Development (3 credits)
IARD 2020 - Perspectives in Intl Agriculture and Rural Development (3 credits)
IARD 4030 - Traditional Agriculture in Developing Nations (1 credit)
IARD 4010 - Experience Latin America I (2 credits) or IARD 4020 Agriculture in
Developing Nations I (2 credits)
IARD 6010 - Experience Latin America II (3 credits) or IARD 6020 Agriculture in
Developing Nations II (3 credits)
Foreign Language Requirement (see College of Arts and Sciences requirement)
*Econ 1110 is a prerequisite for this and other AEM courses. It is recommended that it be taken in the first semester.
In addition to the common core curriculum, IARD majors elect one of three areas—Social Development and Livelihoods Concentration, Food Systems Concentration, or Environment and Ecosystems Concentration—for more indepth coursework.
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