Principles of systemic systems analysis and characteristics of self-organization (Systems and symbols; Flows of energy and materials through systems; The food web of an ecosystem, Trophic levels, Hierarchical organization, Fifth law of thermodynamics; Quality of energy, Emergent properties; Maximum empowerment principle).

Natural systems as models for the design of sustainable land use. (Agriculture across environmental gradients; climatic, geological, and biological processes in interaction).

The environmental factors, farming practices and socio-economic conditions that influence the sustainability of agricultural and horticultural production and the livelihood of farmers will be presented (Environmental, technical, social, political, prevailing discourse and cultural paradigms and their role in hunting and gathering economy,
Early agricultural economies, Industrialized agriculture).

The environmental basis for individual and national wealth. (Institutions; Cultures;
Discourse; Power; Money).

Introduction and discussions on evaluation methods used to assess production and performance of agroecosystems. (Economic and biophysical measures and concepts representing partial and non-systemic approaches, contrasted with methods developed in order to deal with self-organizing open systems).

On farm implementation of methods used within Participatory Action Research (PAR) Approaches in agroecology (i.e. semi-structured interviews; transect walks; systems diagramming; group processing and presentations).