From the beginning, we rejected a large lecture approach and an attempt to tell you everything that goes on at Cook College. You don’t need another large lecture experience in your first semester, and you’d remember about as much with this format as I recall from Dean Griffin’s efforts. Instead we focus on only a few current issues that present a sample of what goes on in the teaching, research and outreach at a mission-oriented, land-grant college. Our purpose is to explore several topics in sufficient depth that you begin to understand thecomplexity of current agricultural and environmental issues; to learn about the interplay of science, economics, and politics in resolving these issues; and to appreciate the diversity of human values as the resolution of these issues is played out. We expect you to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the world you are living in and your place in it. In the process we will help you become more accomplished in your ability to listen and read critically, to argue more persuasively, and to write more effectively. Your coach for this learning will be your section instructor, a member of the Cook College faculty or administration. That person is not an expert in all of the issues we will explore: rather, your instructor will be learning along with you about current aspects of the topics we will be considering. Section instructors represent a broad cross-section of the Cook College community, accomplished in the skills of learning and committed to your growth.

Our choice of the word “Perspectives” for the title of our course is significant. One pervasive theme is that each person carries a unique set of values and experiences that provides

unique points of view on any topic. Each speaker that you hear, author that you read, and classmate that you listen to is expressing an opinion that has been developed through a personal worldview. Different world views affect not only how we evaluate alternative solutions, but even how we frame problems. An important part of “Perspectives” will be for you to develop a deeper understanding of your own world view and that of others that you encounter in the course.

The course is tied together by the readings and the four common lectures. The readings have been selected by a steering committee of section instructors, to inform and challenge you, which can happen only if you meet your responsibility by reading the articles that are assigned and coming to each class prepared to discuss what you have read. Sections will be assigned only a fraction the book and related course materials, depending on the objectives of the specific instructor. Four times during the 10-week course, sections will assemble in Hickman 138, a large lecture hall, to hear an address by a member of our faculty or alumnus, on a topic that articulates with the issues being addressed in the course. This will not be a lecture for passing information, but rather for the purpose of sharing ideas and perspectives. The biology or chemistry lecture mindset will not work here. We want you to listen to each speaker for important new insights for expanding your understanding of the issues we are addressing. It should go without saying that your behavior at these common lectures should be courteous to both the speaker and your classmates.

We start this year with a changing university and college administration. Several current and former Cook College deans are teaching the course. Budgets may be down, but morale is high. Although I have now officially retired, I will always maintain my involvement with Perspectives. Coordination is now in the hands of Prof. Lee Kerkhof, who has taught this course for almost as many years as he has been at Cook.

And so to the topics for 2005. For the first common lecture, Prof. Kerkhof will discuss the course and Robert Goodman, the new Executive Dean, will discuss his vision for the future of the college.

LAND USE is the first environmental issue that we will consider. “The Highlands Rediscovered,” a film about the development of this crucial natural area, will be shown, followed by a talk by Prof. Rick Lathrop, whose research contributed to the planning and subsequent adoption of The Highlands Act.

Land use is integral to issues of population and natural resources. The third common lecture will focus on ENERGY. Lest the relatively grim facts lead you to conclude that these problems are too big to be resolved, Dean Timothy Casey will address promising avenues of research. (Indeed, the slogan for Cook/NJAES is “Synonymous with Solutions.”)

Finally, FOOD. In the U.S. we take for granted and have little idea of where it comes from and how it gets to us. Yet, in much of the world, a day’s activity is focused on acquiring enough food to live another day. Issues of feeding the people of the world have always been central to the mission of land-grant colleges. Our readings will help you learn more about where your food comes from and how the world’s food producers are attempting to feed our growing world population. Alternative solutions and approaches are not without considerable controversy. Should food production be more local and connected with consumers? Will genetically engineered ag products resolve the challenge of feeding more than 6 billion people? Representatives from government and industry will discuss the complexities of the issues.

We are excited to offer the class of ‘09 “Perspectives 2005.” You will get out of this course what you put into it. Don’t let yourself down.

Jim Applegate
Professor of Natural Resources
Cook College
Class of '64