Course Alignment to Program Objectives
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Agricultural Communication Program is to produce graduates who possess communication skills and a strong background in agricultural sciences that translate into the workplace. Program goals: 1) Promote a broader understanding of agriculture among a diverse national and global citizenry; prepare students who can demonstrate and apply effective written, verbal, and listening and visual skills in communication related to agricultural and environmental sciences; prepare students who demonstrate the ability to work in a professional communication setting through experiential learning (i.e., internships, work experience, research opportunities, or student organizations).
Program Objectives
Disciplinary Knowledge
- Objective 1 - Students will recall and apply basic understanding of the agricultural communication profession (i.e., factual knowledge, methods, principles, generalizations, theories, etc.).
- Objective 2 - Students will analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.
Skills and Career Competencies
- Competency 1 - Students will explore career and graduate school opportunities in agricultural communication.
- Competency 2 - Students will create written, verbal, and visual communication about food, agricultural, or environmental topics.
- Competency 3 - Students will demonstrate the meaning of professionalism through these employability skills
Each of the program objectives must be achieved and properly assessed with the following required and elective courses. The course information related to the transparency of the student work and how the student work is evaluated is given in the links that correspond to the objectives. The course objectives are written to meet the course description (link to the USU catalog) and achieve the program objectives. Students are evaluated in each course by completing assignments, projects, quizzes, exams, and other forms of formative and summative assessments. To better help students understand the course and program expectations, the corresponding assignments, and the assessment tools (e.g., rubrics) are given for each program objective and its aligning course objective.
Program Objective Disciplinary Knowledge 1
Students will recall and apply basic understanding of the agricultural communication profession (i.e., factual knowledge, methods, principles, generalizations, theories, etc.).
Courses that meet the Program Objective
ASTE 1710: Introduction to Agricultural Communication | Instructor, Kelsey Hall
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will apply principles of public relations writing to plan and write a variety of materials
- Students will research and gather information for a blog post and social media posts using appropriate methods
- Students will compose a good photograph and caption
- Students will explore possible careers in the agricultural communication field.
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Photo and caption
- Assignment: Blog post
- Assignment: News release
- Assignment: Radio public service announcement
- Assignment: Social media campaign
- Assignment: Career infographic
- Assignment: Expert interview and small group discussion
ASTE/JCOM 3090: Graphic Communication in Agriculture | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objective from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Understand the basic principles and elements of design
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: CRAP design grid
- Assignment: Logo design final
- Assignment: Poster project final
- Assignment: Brochure final
ASTE/ 4900: Senior Project/Website Design | Instructor, Kelsey Hall
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will use the fundamentals of HTML and CSS to develop basic webpages
- Students will demonstrate effective website planning and design using appropriate software
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Reflection paper & style tiles
- Assignment: Website copy
- Assignment: Website design comp
- Assignment: Website
Program Objective Disciplinary Knowledge 2
Students will analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.
Courses that meet the Program Objective
ASTE/JCOM 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
- Students will recall the components of technical writing and how they apply to preparing effective business and professional documents
- Students will communicate complex information in a simplified manner appropriate for targeted audiences
- Students will prepare and deliver technical presentations by applying principles of effective oral communication and slide design
- Students will display information in a visual manner that is effective and appropriate for the audience
- Students will research and organize information using proper documentation design and grammar mechanics
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Persuasion in the media
ASTE/JCOM 3090: Graphic Communication in Agriculture | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will demonstrate ethical practices in graphic communications
- Students will learn to give and receive constructive feedback as part of the design process
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Poster peer review
- Assignment: Photo restoration peer review
- Assignment: Logo peer review
- Assignment: Brochure peer review
Program Objective Skills Competency 1
Students will explore career and graduate school opportunities in agricultural communication.
Courses that meet the Program Objectives
ASTE 1710: Introduction to Agricultural Communication | Instructor, Kelsey Hall
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will apply principles of public relations writing to plan and write a variety of materials
- Students will research and gather information for a blog post and social media posts using appropriate methods
- Students will compose a good photograph and caption
- Students will explore possible careers in the agricultural communication field.
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Photo and caption
- Assignment: Blog post
- Assignment: News release
- Assignment: Radio public service announcement
- Assignment: Social media campaign
- Assignment: Career infographic
- Assignment: Expert interview and small group discussion
ASTE/JCOM 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
- Students will recall the components of technical writing and how they apply to preparing effective business and professional documents
- Students will communicate complex information in a simplified manner appropriate for targeted audiences
- Students will prepare and deliver technical presentations by applying principles of effective oral communication and slide design
- Students will display information in a visual manner that is effective and appropriate for the audience
- Students will research and organize information using proper documentation design and grammar mechanics
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Cover letter and resume
- Assignment: Mock interview
ASTE/JCOM 3090: Graphic Communication in Agriculture | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will explore how graphic communications are used in the professional world
Course Assignment that meet the Course Objectives
Program Objective Skills Competency 2
Students will create written, verbal, and visual communication about food, agricultural, or environmental topics.
Courses that meet the Program Objectives
ASTE/JCOM 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
- Students will recall the components of technical writing and how they apply to preparing effective business and professional documents
- Students will communicate complex information in a simplified manner appropriate for targeted audiences
- Students will prepare and deliver technical presentations by applying principles of effective oral communication and slide design
- Students will display information in a visual manner that is effective and appropriate for the audience
- Students will research and organize information using proper documentation design and grammar mechanics
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Writing for Different Audiences
- Assignment: How-to Video
- Assignment: Cover letter and resume
- Assignment: Mock interview
- Assignment: Choosing appropriate graphics
ASTE/JCOM 3090: Graphic Communication in Agriculture | Instructor, Kenna Kesler
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will practice the creative process and problem-solving techniques
- Students will create pieces using basic design skills and theory as well as graphic design software
- Students will explore how graphic communications are used in the professional world
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Art gallery
- Assignment: Logo design final
- Assignment: Poster project final
- Assignment: Photo restoration
- Assignment: Brochure final
ASTE/ 4900: Senior Project/Website Design | Instructor, Kelsey Hall
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will use the fundamentals of HTML and CSS to develop basic webpages
- Students will demonstrate effective website planning and design using appropriate software
- Students will plan and write content for a website
- Students will develop a responsive website
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Website copy
- Assignment: Website design comp
- Assignment: Website
ASTE 4250: Occupational Experiences in Agriculture (Internship in Agricultural Communication) | Instructor, Kelsey Hall
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will develop technical competencies in agricultural communication (i.e., written, verbal, visual skills)
- Students will apply employability skills that are applicable in agricultural communication professions
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Reflection paper
- Assignment: Internship portfolio
- Assignment: Internship supervisor, evaluation of intern
- Assignment: Student evaluation of work performance
- Assignment: Confidential Student Evaluation of the Work Experience
Program Objective Skills Competency 3
Students will demonstrate the meaning of professionalism through these employability skills
Courses that meet the Program Objectives
ASTE 4250: Occupational Experiences in Agriculture (Internship in Agricultural Communication) | Instructor, Kelsey Hall
Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective
- Students will develop technical competencies in agricultural communication (i.e., written, verbal, visual skills)
- Students will apply employability skills that are applicable in agricultural communication professions
Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives
- Assignment: Reflection paper
- Assignment: Internship portfolio
- Assignment: Internship supervisor, evaluation of intern
- Assignment: Student evaluation of work performance