Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

AGS 75 - Introduction to Agricultural Education

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an overview of agricultural education in California. The principle components of agricultural education are evaluated, including classroom instruction, student leadership development, and student workplace preparation. Effective program development for a secondary agriculture education program will also be evaluated.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Describe the purpose and nature of Agricultural Education.
  2. Develop a personal philosophy of teaching for agricultural education and its components – classroom instruction, leadership development, and workplace preparation.
  3. Design and evaluate agricultural program curriculum, including courses and daily lessons.
  4. Apply learning theory and research into lesson design and facilitation.
  5. Facilitate a lesson using current and relevant teaching techniques.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs

Fundamental components of agricultural education programs

3.00

History and purposes of agricultural education

4.00

Classroom instruction
   a. Curriculum pathway areas and commonly taught subjects
   b. California state standards & curriculum

4.00

Agricultural education leadership (Future Farmers of America - FFA)

4.00

Supervised experiential learning in agricultural education

3.00

Professional expectations in agricultural education

3.00

Agricultural education teacher preparation requirements
   a. Agriculture single subject credential program
   b. Agricultural specialist credential program
   c. Occupational experience
   d. Field experience

6.00

Goals and career planning

4.00

Professional growth and development
   a. Pre-service and in-service education
   b. California Agricultural Teachers’ Association

4.00

Developing a personal philosophy of agricultural education

3.00

Use of technology in agricultural education

3.00

Agricultural education lesson plan and delivery
   a. Creating the lesson plan
   b. Effective instruction

4.00

Agricultural awareness and literacy K-8

3.00

Current issues in agricultural education

3.00
Total Hours:51.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Class Activities
  2. Demonstrations
  3. Discussion
  4. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  5. Lecture
  6. Reading Assignments

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Papers
  3. Oral Presentation
  4. Projects
  5. Demonstration
  6. Homework

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read agriculture education publications and share insights in a class discussion.
  2. Analyze FFA Advisor responsibilities from the FFA manual. Share with a classmate the preparations needed to fulfill the responsibilities.

Writing Assignments

  1. Create a lesson plan for a ninth-grade level agriculture education course.
  2. Compose a 2-3 page essay describing thoughts and beliefs about effective teaching, specifically in the context of agriculture education.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Develop a presentation showing new technologies in agriculture education. Share the presentation in class.
  2. Attend a FFA event. Share in class the importance of students participating in FFA events. Alternative options to complete this assignment will be identified in the instructions.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Carjuzaa, J. & Kellough, R.D. (2017). Teaching in the Middle and Secondary Schools. Pearson, 11th. 9780134069241.

Minimum Qualifications

Agriculture (Masters Required)