PLSCI 6230

Equitable Crop Improvement: From Theory to Practice

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2023-2024.

This course explores how global crop improvement processes and outcomes can address social inequalities from design to implementation and impact. It covers a broad range of topics, offering perspective on how systematic social inequalities shape whose priorities are served by crop improvement programs locally, and globally. Drawing from theory and methodology across diverse disciplines, this course encourages students to critically analyze mainstream crop improvement paradigms with an equity lens, and design more inclusive alternatives.

When Offered Fall.

• Describe key issues and concepts related to equity and social inclusion in global crop improvement.
• Identify systematic oppression at multiple levels, and how these limit the representation and voice of historically marginalized groups in crop improvement theory and practice.
• Describe how interdisciplinary (bridging social and biophysical sciences) crop improvement research is conceptualized and practiced.
• Explain how social science theories, methods and data enable equitable crop improvement processes and outcomes.
• Describe how equitable crop improvement principles and strategies are applied across a product development pipeline, from varietal design to selection and release through critical analysis and case studies.
• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the cultural practices, values and beliefs of diverse groups of individuals.
• Assess one's own cultural perspective and the potential for associated biases, and how these may shape scientific practice in crop improvement research.
• Respectfully communicate and collaborate across difference with individuals from different identities, disciplines and backgrounds.
• Interpret qualitative and quantitative social science data to inform crop improvement decisions in design, selection and dissemination.
• Critically analyze crop improvement research programs to formulate recommendations for more equitable research processes and outcomes.

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