Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications: Agricultural Communications, BS

Overview

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration

Students pursuing the Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, BS select from three concentrations:

Degree Requirements

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements

A minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The University and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
fulfilled by AGCM 220; JOUR 200
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)		6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)		6
fulfilled by ACES 102; FSHN 101 or FSHN 120; NRES 100 or CPSC 112 or CPSC 113
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)		6
fulfilled by CMN 232, CMN 277, or CMN 280; and ADV 150
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)		3
fulfilled by LEAD 340
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)		3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)		6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)		0-15

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Major Requirements		15
ALEC 110	Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications	3
ALEC 123	ALEC Orientation to Illinois	1
ALEC 451	Professional Development in ALEC	2
AGCM 220	Communicating Agriculture	3
LEAD 340	Leadership Ethics & Society: Addressing Contemporary Challenges	3
Oral Communication		3-6
ALEC 115	Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
or CMN 101	Public Speaking
or CMN 111 & CMN 112	Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Agricultural Communications Concentration Requirements		54
AGCM 310	Investigating Agricultural Communications	3
AGCM 315	Social Media Management in Agricultural Communications	3
AGCM 375	International Agricultural Communications	3
AGCM 420	Public Information Campaigns	3
ALEC 393	Internship in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications	3
Select 9 additional hours of 300 or 400 level AGCM courses		9
JOUR 200	Introduction to Journalism	3
ADV 150	Introduction to Advertising	3
Select any 300- or 400-level Advertising elective course		3
Select any 300- or 400-level Journalism elective course		3
Select one of the following Communication electives:		3
CMN 232	Intro to Intercultural Comm
CMN 277	Introduction to Mediated Communication
CMN 280	Comm Technology & Society
ACES 102	Intro Sustainable Food Systems	3
ACE 231	Food and Agribusiness Mgt	3
Select one of the following Animal Science electives:		3
ANSC 100	Intro to Animal Sciences
ANSC 101	Contemporary Animal Issues
ANSC 255	Animal Ethics
Select one of the following Food Science electives:		3
FSHN 101	The Science of Food and How it Relates to You
FSHN 120	Contemporary Nutrition
Select one of the following Land and Environment Science electives:		3
NRES 100	Fundamentals of Env Sci
CPSC 112	Introduction to Crop Sciences
CPSC 113	Environment, Agriculture, and Society
Electives
Free electives as needed to total 126 hours minimum
Total Hours:		126

Sample Sequence

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
ALEC 110 - Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications	3
ALEC 123 - ALEC Orientation to Illinois	1
Composition I or Oral Communication	3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)	4
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	2
Semester Hours	16

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
Composition I or Oral Communication	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
ADV 150 - Introduction to Advertising	3
Semester Hours	16

Second Year

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
AGCM 220 - Communicating Agriculture	3
General Education course	3
CMN 232 - Intro to Intercultural Comm, CMN 277 - Introduction to Mediated Communication, or CMN 280 - Comm Technology & Society	3
AGCM Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
ACES 102 - Intro Sustainable Food Systems	3
General Education course	3
CPSC 113 - Environment, Agriculture, and Society, NRES 100 - Fundamentals of Env Sci, or CPSC 112 - Introduction to Crop Sciences	3
JOUR 200 - Introduction to Journalism	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	2
Semester Hours	17

Third Year

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
LEAD 340 - Leadership Ethics & Society: Addressing Contemporary Challenges	3
Free Elective course	3
AGCM 315 - Social Media Management in Agricultural Communications	3
FSHN 101 - The Science of Food and How it Relates to You or FSHN 120 - Contemporary Nutrition	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
ADV Elective course	3
AGCM Elective course	3
ACE 231 - Food and Agribusiness Mgt	3
AGCM 310 - Investigating Agricultural Communications	3
ANSC 101 - Contemporary Animal Issues, ANSC 100 - Intro to Animal Sciences, or ANSC 255 - Animal Ethics	3
Semester Hours	15

Fourth Year

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
ALEC 451 - Professional Development in ALEC	2
JOUR Elective course	3
ALEC 393 - Internship in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications	3
AGCM 375 - International Agricultural Communications	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
AGCM 420 - Public Information Campaigns	3
AGCM Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	15

Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 126

Learning Outcomes

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration

Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will solve challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
1. Engage in critical thinking about current issues
2. Assess situational strengths and obstacles
3. Use effective communications
4. Create solutions that respond to current issues
Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will demonstrate a strong foundation in theories and empirical knowledge associated with leadership, education, and communications.
1. Describe current and historical challenges facing people within food, agriculture, human, and natural resource systems
2. Recall summarize and apply key theories, models, principles and terminology
3. Apply knowledge to global contexts
4. Integrate knowledge across courses and content areas
5. Critique current theoretical and empirical knowledge and methodological approaches
Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will lead, educate, and communicate with an awareness and commitment to inclusion.
1. Critically examine personal backgrounds, biases, and experiences
2. Use ethical principles and practices
3. Facilitate environments that foster a sense of belonging

Contact Information

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration