Course Description
Exploration of issues in the global food system through the lens of social science analysis. The course will follow a case study approach. Each case study will introduce a basic policy issue and present economic and social trade-offs for students to analyze. Example cases include: Is fair trade really more fair? Would cutting back food waste reduce world hunger? Should we use food to fuel our cars? Is agriculture a climate change victim or perpetrator?
Athena Title
Food Fights
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will learn the basic elements of policy analysis and economic reasoning. Through a carefully curated set of case studies, they will gain strong awareness of key policy issues facing the global food system. At the end of the course, students will be better equipped to evaluate future policy and consumer choices.
Topical Outline
Part 1. The power and limits of consumer choice Example part 1 topic: Is fair trade really more fair? Part 2. Technology: friend or foe? Example part 2 topic: The robots will feed you now Part 3. Agriculture's fuzzy boundaries: exploring agriculture's role in key environmental and health challenges Example part 3 topic: Should we use food to fuel our cars? Part 4. The trend is not your friend: worrying trends in global agriculture Example part 4 topic: The globesity epidemic Part 5. Agriculture is the future: exploring agriculture's role in economic development Example part 5 topic: Experimenting vs Learning: How do we know what works in the global fight against poverty?
General Education Core
CORE V: Social SciencesSyllabus