Department of Agricultural Studies

Mark E. Bender, Ph.D., Chair

Professors: Bender, Bowers, Schoenly
Associate Professor:  Houk
Assistant Professors:  Hauselt, Wooley

Office: Bizzini Hall 108A-C
Phone: (209) 664-6648

Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Studies  with concentrations in Agricultural Biology , Agricultural Business/Economics , Permaculture , and a Special Concentration
Business Administration concentration in Agricultural Business  *
*Please see the College of Business Administration  section of the catalog.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Explain basic economic principles with respect to the production and distribution of agricultural resources;
• Explain the principles of agricultural and environmental resource management;
• Describe agricultural business and marketing practices;
• Explain the physical, chemical, and biological principles of agroecosystems;
• Summarize global perspectives on food issues;
• Provide examples of restorative and sustainable agricultural practices;
• Describe spatial and other quantitative techniques;
• Understand public policy, regulatory, and land use issues;
• Explain the social context of agricultural production;
• Critically assess agricultural issues and trends;
• Systematically develop communicative, analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills;
• Be exposed to diverse teaching and learning strategies in a number of academic disciplines;
• Gain applied experience through internships and service learning;
• Experience a high quality academic program that prepares them for changing and emerging professional opportunities in the region; and
• Be involved in an educational experience that helps prepare them for graduate studies and teaching.

In pursuing these objectives, the program encourages students to critically assess agricultural issues and trends; provides students with opportunities to systematically develop their communicative, analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills; exposes students to diverse teaching and learning strategies in a number of academic disciplines; and delivers a high quality academic program that prepares students for emerging professional opportunities.