Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications Program (ALEC)
Courses
ALEC 110 Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications credit: 3 Hours.
Provides an introduction to basic leadership, communications, and educational theory. Covers the practical application of theories in professional, educational, and community contexts. Designed as the foundational course underlying the ALEC undergraduate curriculum. No credit given if already completed AGCM 110 or AGED 100.
ALEC 293 Communications Internship credit: 1 to 3 Hours.
Supervised experience in a field directly pertaining to agricultural leadership, education, or communications. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated up to 12 hours, if topics vary. Credit is not given for more than a total of 12 hours of Independent Study (IND) courses applying to a degree in ACES. Prerequisite: ALEC Program approval required.
ALEC 294 Research Internship credit: 1 to 4 Hours.
Supervised, on-campus, learning experience with faculty engaged in research. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated up to 12 hours, if topics vary. Credit is not given for more than a total of 12 hours of Independent Study (IND) courses applying to a degree in ACES. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
ALEC 295 Independent Study or Research credit: 1 to 3 Hours.
Individual research, special problems, thesis, development and/or design work under the supervision of an appropriate member of the faculty. May be repeated up to 12 hours, if topics vary. Credit is not given for more than a total of 12 hours of Independent Study (IND) courses applying to a degree in ACES. Prerequisite: ALEC Program and instructor approval required.
ALEC 393 Internship in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications credit: 3 or 6 Hours.
Provides an opportunity to apply principles and theories related to Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications within the field through meaningful work experiences. Upon completion of the internship experience, the student will be able to incorporate principles and theories from classroom knowledge to real-life work situations that benefit the supporting organization both qualitatively and quantitatively while enhancing the problem-solving abilities of the student. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated up to 6 hours in separate terms. Prerequisite: ALEC 110. Restricted to majors only.
ALEC 396 Honors Research or Thesis credit: 1 to 4 Hours.
Individual research, special problems, thesis, development and/or design work under the direction of the Honors advisor. May be repeated for up to 6 hours in separate terms. Credit is not given for more than a total of 12 hours of Independent Study (IND) courses applying to a degree in ACES. Prerequisite: Junior standing, admission to the ACES Honors Program.
ALEC 400 Foundations of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications credit: 3 Hours.
Comparative examination of the foundations of knowledge formation in agricultural leadership, education and communication, including extension education. Apply leadership, education and communication principles to trends and developments in food, fiber, agricultural and environmental systems. Examine approaches to teaching and learning throughout the careers associated with agricultural leadership, education and communications. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours.
ALEC 410 Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation credit: 3 Hours.
Compare and contrast theory and practice of educational program planning, delivery and evaluation for youth and adult audiences in community settings. Incorporate the principles of community needs assessment, logic model development, program implementation and program evaluation into agriculture-related programs. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours.
ALEC 451 Professional Development in ALEC credit: 2 Hours.
The purpose of this course is to serve as a professional capstone to the ALEC curriculum. Students will examine their learning over the course of their academic experience and synthesize key components for practical purposes. The main point of the class is to help provide students with practical tools for their professional success. Students will be expected to perform at the highest levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy – synthesize, evaluate, and create. 2 undergraduate hours. 2 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Restricted to students with senior standing.
ALEC 499 Seminar credit: 1 to 4 Hours.
Special topics in agricultural leadership, education or communications. 1 to 4 undergraduate hours. 1 to 4 graduate hours. May be repeated, if topics vary. Prerequisite: ALEC Program approval required.
ALEC 505 Science and Art of Teaching and Learning credit: 3 Hours.
Students will investigate theoretical principles of education and learning; evaluate the roles of emotion and motivation and their impacts on the acquisition and retention of knowledge; and explore psychological and physiological variables that impact learning. Additional topics to examine include: metacognition, fixed and growth mindset, approaches to learning, and specific teaching and learning techniques that predict learner success. 3 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: Restricted to Graduate students.
ALEC 540 Volunteer Management credit: 3 Hours.
Theory and practice of volunteer management including: volunteer demographics; recruitment; selection; orientation; training and development; retention; supervision; motivation; evaluation; legal issues; and rick management. Students will develop a comprehensive volunteer management strategy based on using volunteers in non-profit organizations. 3 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students only.
ALEC 545 Research Methods and Design credit: 3 Hours.
Provides foundations for quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and design principles for investigating problems in social and behavioral sciences. Focuses on language of research and evaluation, purposes, validity threats, data collection methods, and critical evaluation of current literature. 3 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: ALEC 505.
ALEC 549 Independent Study credit: 1 to 4 Hours.
Individual investigation and reporting of research on any phase of agricultural leadership, education or communications selected by the student and approved by the advisor and faculty member who will supervise the study. 1 to 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. May be repeated in the same or subsequent terms to a maximum of 8 hours.
ALEC 595 Capstone Curriculum Project credit: 3 Hours.
Consists of a curriculum development capstone project that includes a needs assessment, literature review, logic model, proposed budget, program evaluations, and instructional manuals for the facilitator(s) and learner(s). Students will plan and design educational program curriculum for adult, high school or youth learners appropriate for either formal classroom or informal developmental settings. 3 graduate hours. No professional credit. Approved for Letter and S/U grading. Prerequisite: ALEC 410 and ALEC 545. Restricted to graduate students only.
ALEC 599 Thesis Research credit: 0 to 8 Hours.
Individual research in the various areas of agricultural leadership, education, or communications under the supervision of faculty members. 0 to 8 graduate hours. No professional credit. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated in separate terms. Prerequisite: ALEC Program approval required.