Exploration of world hunger using an interdisciplinary approach. Analysis of natural resource-related, political, and cultural causes of hunger; its health and socioeconomic effects; and current proposed solutions, with an emphasis on education. Group discussions will be emphasized in this course.
Athena Title
Reflection Fighting Hunger Hon
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ALDR 3820, ALDR 3820E, AFST 3820, AFST 3820E, LACS 3820, LACS 3820E
Prerequisite
Second-year student standing and permission of Honors
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will explain the meaning and the dimensions of food security and summarize who and where the world's hungry people are.
Students will discuss critical elements impacting discussions about food security, including context, perspective, ethics, communication, power, and food politics.
Students will identify and analyze both contemporary and historical food security case studies, comparing different interdisciplinary perspectives, including environmental, social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions.
Students will diagram a hunger problem tree to illustrate the complex and contextual relationships between causes, effects, and solutions to hunger, and discuss how each relates to economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
Students will assess the impact of global and local issues (e.g., climate change, trade, conflict) on food security.
Students will evaluate the role of science, agriculture, education, and technology transfer in addressing hunger and improving food security.
Students will contrast opportunities and consequences of different approaches to reducing poverty and hunger. Develop and present evidence-based recommendations for addressing food insecurity in different contexts.
Students will discuss the complex and dynamic nature of social, political, educational, institutional, and economic systems that impact food security in a culturally diverse and globally connected world.
Students will explain what individuals can do to promote a hunger-free world, and describe the roles of local, national, and global policy and organizations.
Students will engage in active learning, discussion, group work, and critical reflection on food security challenges and solutions.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction
1.1. Definitions and concepts
1.2. Measuring complex issues, identifying indicators, and utilizing quantitative and qualitative data
1.3. Mapping hunger: Who and where?
2. Dimensions of food security
2.1. Availability, access, quality, stability, food politics, long term sustainability
2.2. Critical elements impacting discussions about food security: complexity, context, perspective, ethics, communication, power, and food politics
2.3. Historic famines and current food emergencies
2.3.1. Examples
2.3.2. Causes and consequences, and analysis of environmental, social, economic, educational, political, institutional, and cultural dimensions.
2.3.3. Famine trends
3. Case studies on global and local issues
3.1. Factors affecting food security in low-input agriculture of rural Sub-Saharan Africa
3.2. Climate change: Climate refugees in Bangladesh and Syria, and other stories
3.3. Conflict: Immediate and long-term impacts on food security
3.4. Health and access to safe drinking water
3.5. Gender issues in agriculture
3.6. The urbanization of poverty and the growth of the slums
3.7. Team project 1
4. Food insecurity in the United States
4.1. Overview of food insecurity in the US, GA, and Athens: Issues and numbers
4.2. Programs and opportunities for student involvement
4.3. Team project 2
5. Focusing on solutions
5.1. Science and technology in agriculture
5.1.1. Successes and consequences
5.1.2. Models of innovation: Technology transfer and co-creating of knowledge
5.2. The power of education
5.3. Local, national, and global organizations and programs
5.3.1. The Sustainable Development Goals
5.3.2. Non-profit organizations
5.3.2.1. Examples (Grameen Bank, CARE and the SHOUHARDO program)
5.3.2.2. Characteristics of High-Impact non-profits
6. Hunger Problem tree and course mind-map
6.1. The complex and contextual relationships between causes, effects, and solutions
6.2. Interconnected challenges and perspectives
7. Lessons learned in the fight against hunger
7.1. Student project
8. Photovoice project and reflection
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, or visual form.
Creativity & Innovation
The capacity to combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways and the experience of thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
