Course Description
Examination of the historical and geographic development of the industrialized global agro-food system. Alternatives to the global agro-industrial food system, such as organic food production, local food movements, and urban food systems are presented. Students will critically examine the possibilities for, and limitations to, such alternative food systems.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students in this course will do additional reading
beyond what is assigned for undergraduates, and will write both
an additional short paper and a longer and more detailed term
paper. Graduate student work will be held to a higher standard
than undergraduate student work.
Athena Title
Industrial Agro-Food Systems
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. To develop an understanding of the origins, dynamics and consequences of the globalized agro-industrial food system. 2. To develop an understanding of different political, economic, environmental and moral critiques of the globalized agro-industrial food system. 3. To develop a means of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of various alternatives to the global agro- industrial food system.
Topical Outline
1. The origins of a globalized food system in the practice of colonialism. 2. The implications of the industrial revolution for a globalizing food system. 3. Current issues and debates concerning the industrial agro-industrial food system. 4. The moral and economic logics of alternative food systems: Similarities and differences. 5. Regionally focused alternative foods systems 6. Urban-focused alternative food systems 7. Future prospects for alternative food systems