Overview

Historically the participants in this course have come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have lived and worked in developing countries, and many have traveled widely, while others may never have set foot outside the United States. Some are professionals with many years of experience who are returning to Cornell to retool, to upgrade their skills, or to expand their horizons. Others are just completing their undergraduate studies and are contemplating careers in international agriculture. The areas of expertise run the gamut from Art to Zootecnia and everything in between. Likewise, the faculty participants in the class come from many different disciplines, and all have a wealth of international experience. This rich mixture of backgrounds creates a wonderful opportunity for exchange of ideas, and typically the students in this class learn at least as much from the discussions as they do from the lectures and reading.

Theme Groups
Both to facilitate discussion and to prepare for the 602 trip, the class will be organized into six multi-disciplinary teams, each of which focuses on a different theme, and each of which is directed by a different faculty member. (See Theme Groups for more information about this year's theme groups.)

Assigned Readings
There is no textbook for this course. Readings will be posted on the web, in the library or as handouts in class. It is essential that you complete the assigned readings before class on the date they are due! Your participation in the class discussion will require familiarity with the assigned material.

Follow-up Questions
You will be expected to complete and submit the answers to 3 followup questions for every class lecture.

Writing Assignments
There will be one final paper required in this course. There will be no exams.

The January 2005 Trip to INDIA
International Agriculture 402, is closely integrated with IARD 602, Agriculture in the Developing Nations II and toward the end of the semester, part of the class time will be devoted to preparations for the trip. In past years the trip has gone to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Ecuador. This is the third year we will take a group to INDIA!

Note: This trip is a field laboratory, not a mid-winter tropical vacation! It is demanding, hard work, and our expectations are very high. Those who do go on the trip find it immensely rewarding and well worth the investment of time, labor, and money.