Fall 2022 Welcome Letter and Course Details for CRN 74239

****************IMPORTANT NOTE************************

Agriculture Economics (CRN 74239) is a 16 week course that begin Monday 8/15 and ends Friday 12/2.

This course offered in a Hybrid format. You'll attend class face-to-face on Monday from 10am - 11:20am and the remainder of the course will be offered online at your own convenience.

We will continue to look to Cuesta for guidance in terms of safety protocol and are prepared to adjust plans as needed. 

Instructor: Amy Stapp

Email: amy_stapp@cuesta.edu

Phone: 805-704-4728

Student Learning Hours: Wednesday 9:30am - 11:30am in my office (4322) and virtually by appointment. Please contact me via email to arrange specific time to meet or talk via Zoom.

Communication: I can always be reached during my office hours of Wednesday 9:30am - 11:30am or by appointment. I can also be reached by email (amy_stapp@cuesta.edu) or phone (805-704-4728) Monday – Friday 9 – 5pm (Please, no texts unless it is a very simple question.) and will make every effort to respond to your questions within 24 hours. Please reference AGB 201 in the subject line of any email.

Welcome to AGB 201 Agriculture Economics! I am excited to work with you this semester as you explore economics and its importance in the agribusiness industry. In this class, I will present introductory concepts pertaining to agriculture and farming in the economic system. Topics we will cover include basic economic concepts, problems of agriculture, pricing and marketing problems, factors of production, and state and federal farm programs affecting the farmer’s economic position.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Apply economic concepts of scarcity, choice, cost, and elasticity to agricultural scenarios
2. Use microeconomic models to illustrate how prices and output are determined in various market structures in the short and long run for food, fiber, and inputs in agricultural production
3. Compare and contrast the role of agriculture in the economic structure of the state, country and world
4. Demonstrate effective communication skills and professionalism in course communications
5. Use appropriate technology to communicate and analyze in a business environment

Textbook

Required Text: Penson, Capps, Parr Rosson III, Woodward, Introduction to Agricultural Economics, 7th Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, Pearson, 2017.

Canvas

Canvas (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) is the online learning platform used by Cuesta College and this will be the central location for all course activity. You can find all you need to know about our course through Canvas. You will find the course syllabus, weekly assignments, announcements from your instructor, and your updated grades. Please go to Canvas (link above) after the first day of class (Monday 8/15), use your my.cuesta.edu login and password, and familiarize yourself with our course. You will NOT be able to access our Canvas class until the course begins.

Canvas Quick Reference for Students: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/documents/distance_ed_students/Canvas_Quick_Reference_Students.pdfLinks to an external site.

Link to Help with Canvas:

https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/technical_support.htmlLinks to an external site.

Sample Grade Breakdown (see course syllabus at start of class for final details)

Student grades will be calculated by the following percentages:

• 30% Exams (3 exams @ 10% each)
• 35% Homework Assignments (This includes Discussion posts on Canvas, chapter homework, and other various assignments throughout the semester.)
• 35% Project (This is an individual project to be worked on over the semester and submitted in 3 stages that will require you to choose an agricultural product and apply economic concepts.)

A = 92 – 100%

A- = 90 – 91%

B+ = 88 – 89%

B = 82 – 87%

B- = 80 – 81%

C+ = 78 – 79%

C = 70 – 77%

D+ = 68 – 69%

D = 60 – 67%

F = Below 60%

Important Details

1. Completing work on time is an important responsibility of being a student and good practice for future employment. I also understand that life happens in unexpected ways. It happens to the best of us. Please anticipate that by getting your work done early. Late work is not accepted or offered any point. Please do not ask me to make an exception to this rule. I value being a fair instructor who extends the same opportunity to each student. I want you to be successful in this course and you have all the tools and information to be successful. Do your work on time.
2. Exams must be taken before scheduled dates and times. No make-up exams are given unless for a documented event where make-up arrangements are made before the exam date and approved by your instructor.
3. There will be regularly assigned homework in this class. It may be select questions at the end of the chapter or a different assignment created by me. It is your responsibility to participate in our Canvas course to learn about homework assignments and to pay attention to Canvas and all messages sent by me through Canvas.
4. Students who do well in this course have the following habits:

• Read chapter material and take notes
• Ask questions/participate in discussions to clarify understanding
• Find the answers to missed questions on exercises, homework, and quizzes. Understand WHY you missed questions – this is where the learning really happens!
• Stop by the instructor’s virtual office hours to ask questions

5. It is important to manage your enrollment in this course. Be sure to drop the course if you intend to drop the course! If you do not officially drop the course by the appropriate date, I must give you the grade you’ve earned. (Just to be clear, I do not want you to drop the course!)

Academic Honesty

Cheating on an assignment is usually a sign of desperation which can be avoided with preparation. Academic dishonesty in any form, including copying (or allowing copying) of work, or unauthorized aids on exams, is not tolerated. Students who violate the academic honesty policy may receive a “0” for the assignment or an F for the course at the discretion of the instructor. Be sure to give proper citations when quoting or paraphrasing sources of information. See the Cuesta College schedule for official student conduct policies. Below are some examples of academically dishonest behavior:

• Copying from another student’s exam
• Sharing answers for an exam with another student
• Submitting another student’s work as your own
• Knowingly allowing another student to copy your work
• Plagiarizing other people’s thoughts, words or speeches by not acknowledging them

At the discretion of the instructor, students caught being academically dishonest may receive a failing grade on the assignment in question, be dropped from the class, or be failed in the course. Beyond this, the student may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Vice President of Student Services or designee.

Additional Help

• Please feel free to use the student help hours for additional instruction (or just to introduce yourself.) I’m here to help!
• Student Academic Services provides tutoring at no charge to students. Check that out here:

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/resources/ssc/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

• Library services are available here:

https://www.cuesta.edu/library/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

• Some students may experience learning disabilities or challenges that affect their academic performance. If you have any special concerns or disabilities that could affect your learning, please see me or contact DSPS at 546–3148 as soon as possible. DSPS requests that testing forms be submitted at least 7 days prior to the test. Exams and quizzes taken with accommodations must be taken with DSPS and must start or end during a regular class period. Please schedule your classes and other obligations such that accommodated exams and quizzes can occur concurrently with the class.

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/dsps/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

• If you are a veteran, please contact Karen Andrews, Cuesta College's VA Certifying Official at 546-3142.

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/veterans/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

• The college experience can compound other issues in one's life. If you feel you need to talk to someone or need help to maintain balance in your personal life, please contact the Counseling Center at (805) 546-3171.