Urban Agriculture
environmental science, policy & management 117
Fall 2007 & Fall 2008
Lab Schedule
Download ESPM 117 Fall 08 Syllabus (UPDATED)
Fall 07 Syllabus
Instructors:
Nathan McClintock, Geography
Albie Miles, ESPM
Dr. Clara Nicholls, ESPM/PACS (2008)
Prof. Miguel Altieri, ESPM (2007)
contact info & office hours
Course:
Tuesdays, 4-7 PM
180 Tan
CCN 29349, 4 units
Labs:
Fridays @ the Student Organic Garden (corner of Virginia & Walnut streets)
Sec. 1 (CCN 29352) 8-10 AM
Sec. 2 (CCN 29355) 10-12 AM
Sec. 3 (CCN 29358) 1-3 PM
Course Summary:
ESPM 117 (formerly called "Urban Garden Ecosystems") revolves around a fundamental question: How do we mend the ecological and social rift between city dwellers and the food they consume? Over the semester, we take a socio-ecosystemic approach to the study of urban food production (with a particular emphasis on organic gardening) and discuss the ways in which urban agriculture can aid in the reintegration of food, soil, and city. The course is interactive and hands-on, integrating theory & practice.
The classroom component consists of lectures, guest speakers, discussion of readings, and student presentations. Topics covered include:
-
"metabolic rift," local food systems, and the political ecology of urban agriculture
-
urban agroecosystems in both US and developing world contexts
-
urban agriculture & community development (includes field trips)
-
fundamentals of horticulture, soil science, insect & soil ecology
-
organic/sustainable production techniques
In weekly lab sessions, we learn how to grow food. We will cover:
-
horticultural techniques (plant propagation, direct-seeding, transplanting)
-
soil quality & fertility management
-
irrigation & water conservation
-
pest/disease/weed management
-
compost production
-
beneficial insect habitat
-
fruit tree management
Each student will be responsible for a final project and community garden hours.
Grading:
Quizzes (25%)
- Short answer questions/activities on each major topic
Midterm (25%)
Final Project (25%)
- Groups of 5 or 6 focusing on one element of UA in the local food system
Participation (25%)
- Lab attendance
- Classroom participation
- Garden responsibilities
- Community garden hours
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.