Kenza Benabderrazik: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021 |
| Name | Dr. Kenza Benabderrazik |
| Address | Professur Nachhaltige Agrarökosyst ETH Zürich, LFH B 9 Universitätstrasse 2 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| kenza.benabderrazik@usys.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Lecturer |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 751-5003-00L | Sustainable Agroecosystems II | 2 credits | 2V | K. Benabderrazik, M. Hartmann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This class conveys current topics and methods of agroecological and food systems research through selected case studies from ongoing research of the Sustainable Agroecosystems group. Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking competencies, through individual and group work, on major agricultural and food system challenges and paths towards agricultural and food system transformation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | (1) Systematically analyse and discuss case studies from ongoing agroecological and food system research. (2) Learn and experiment on methods for field and laboratory investigations in agroecology. (3) Engage with positive and empowering frameworks that motivate critical reflection and action on the types of transformative responses needed to adapt and thrive within agricultural and food systems. (4) Reflect critically on agricultural and food system transformation tools and methods from the perspective a food system stakeholder. (5) Identify and describe institutions in the context of sustainable agricultural development (for Bachelor and Master thesis and internships). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The course will address a wide range of agricultural and food system challenges (e.g. food security, climate change, soil degradation, etc.) in both temperate and tropical contexts, from building food system resilience through innovative measures, to addressing soil fertility and GHG emissions. A wide variety of case studies will be presented, covering different scales (e.g. value-chains, farm and soil management). The class is complemented by a role-playing exercise on food system transformation. Students will gain an overview on institutions and actors’ roles in the field of sustainable agricultural development. Throughout the exercise, students will learn to cooperate through a teamwork exercise and understand what is the role of each stakeholders in the food system in order to support a sustainable transformation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Gliessman, S.R. (2014) Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems. 3rd edition, CRC Press. 405 p. (recommended text book) Steve Gliessman (2016) Transforming food systems with agroecology, Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 40:3, 187- 189, DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2015.1130765 HLPE. 2019. Agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition. A report by the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security, Rome. Link to report: http://www.fao.org/3/ca5602en/ca5602en.pdf | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Prior participation in the lecture Nachhaltige Agrarökosysteme I (Sustainable Agroecosystems I) 751-5000-00G (spring term) recommended. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 751-5201-10L | Tropical Cropping Systems, Soils and Livelihoods  This course has been restructured due to Covid-19 restrictions, part I (2 CP) takes place in Autumn 2021, part II (3 CP) in Spring 2022, with an excursion/fieldwork. For more information, please contact the lecturer: kenza.benabderrazik@usys.ethz.ch | 2 credits | 2G | J. Six, K. Benabderrazik | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course guides students in analyzing and comprehending tropical agroecosystems. Students gain theoretical knowledge of field methods, diagnostic tools for tropical soils and agroecosystems. Various experts will present their projects and perspectives on various subjects from Food security, Resilience to Soil physics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Part 1 (1) Overview of the major land use systems in Tropical agroecosystems in several contexts Africa (2) Interdisciplinary analysis of agricultural production systems (3) Knowledge on methods to assess Food and energy security in tropical agroecosystems Part 2 (4) Hands-on training on the use of field methods, diagnostic tools and survey methods. (5) Gain practical knowledge on how to assess Food and Energy Security (6) Collaboration in international students and stakeholders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | Part 1 (Fall semester 2021) This course guides students in analyzing and comprehending tropical agroecosystems. Students gain theoretical knowledge of field methods, diagnostic tools for tropical soils and agroecosystems. Various experts will present their projects and perspectives on various subjects from Food security, resilience to soil physics or agricultural economics. Students will engage in readings, discussions and exchanges on the specificities of tropical agriculture. Part 2 (Spring 2022) On the second module, students gain practical knowledge on field - An integral part of the course is the two-week field project in a Tropical region, meeting several stakeholders of the agricultural and food systems and conducting various assessments related to Food and Energy Security. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Students can only join Part 2 if Part 1 was taken and validated first. A selection of 20 students for the Part 2 will be done on the basis of several elements. We would require the students enrolled to the class to send a short cover letter (1-page max.) by September 28th 2021, justifying your motivation to enroll to this class. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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