Employment in Agribusiness Sample Syllabus

Course Description:  This course is designed to provide students with information relating to understanding the function and operation of an agribusiness and outline the skills necessary to become a valued employee or entrepreneur.

Content:

A.  What is Agribusiness?

   - Discuss the history of agribusiness

   - List the benefits of agribusinesses to the United States.

   - Discuss size and purposes of different agribusinesses.    

   - List the different types of agribusinesses

   - Public Agribusiness Services (USDA, FSA, Extension Service)

B.  Personal Financial Management

   - Discuss expectations of employment and earning money

   - Determine the difference between gross salary versus net pay

   - List mandatory deductions for the paycheck

   - Discuss taxes and benefits associated with employment

   - Develop a personal budget

   - Discuss debt and debt management

C.  Dealing with people

   - Identify employers leadership styles

   - Discuss personality types and their relationship to behavior

   - Discuss pros and cons of working in teams

   - Develop effective communication skills through writing and oral communications 

D.  Workplace Ethics

   - Define values

   - Discuss personal and societal values

   - Discuss the importance of time management on the job

   - Demonstrate proper phone etiquette

   - Demonstrate proper e-mail etiquette

   - Discuss meeting etiquette

   - Discuss conflict of interest and other illegal activities

   - Discuss employee responsibilities

E.  Selecting a career and finding a job

   - Research and report on two possible career opportunities

   - Prepare a letter of application

   - Prepare a Resume

   - Complete a job application

F.  Goal setting and planning for success

   - List reasons for setting goals

   - Identify personal short term and long term goals

   - Develop a plan of action to obtain chosen career

   - Job shadow at two different local businesses

   - Visit a college campus

   - Visit a tech school campus

Grading Policy:  The course will follow the school grading policy.
93-100        A
85-92          B
75-84          C
65-74          D
below 64      F

Grades will be determined by averaging test scores to equal 65% of the grade, averaging scores earned through job shadowing/placement and research projects to equal 25% of the grade, and the score earned in the area of their supervised project and FFA activities to equal 10% of the grade.

Note
Other items to consider when completing this course syllabus include:

1. Textbook used
2. Behavior expectations or routine you want followed
3. What to bring to class each day
4. Supplies or money that will be needed for the class
5. Any other item you feel would help parents and students know what to expect.

Suggestions:

1. Try and keep the syllabus to one page, front and back
2. Give a copy to students the first day of class and have them available for parents at the parent teacher meetings.
3. Use the syllabus to recruit students and visit with parents about "what their child will learn in Ag"
4. Parents, students and administrators all feel more comfortable with a class where they know what is being taught.

(This syllabus was developed using the Delmar Publishers textbooks, "Introduction to Agribusiness".  Written by Cliff Ricketts & Omri Rawlins and "Leadership, Personal Development and Career Success", Written by Cliff Ricketts.)