Jan 26-30

I. Food, Culture and Society

   A. Explain the significance of diet in the evolution of the human

species.

   B. Discuss the development of agriculture and the domestication of

handouts: Leonard, "Food for Thought", sent  by email;

web: Diamond, "The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race": http://www.environnement.ens.fr/perso/claessen/agriculture/mistake_jared_diamond.pdf

Feb 2-6

 II. Food and History

   A. Identify the processes shaping the transformation from subsistence

production to modern commodity centered agriculture.

   B. Discuss the role of colonialism in changing food production and

consumption patterns throughout the world.

handout

Feb 9-13

   C. Explain the significance of food production in the structure of

modern society.

   D. Describe the globalized food system as it exists today.

handout

Feb 16-20

III. Food and Identity

   A. Describe the role of food as a source of identity in four

contemporary cultures.

   B. Discuss the perceived and real differences in food consumption based

on social class.

handout

Feb 23-27

   C. Identify and explore choices of diet as sources of personal identity

and ethics, such as vegetarianism.

   D. Compare and contrast the relationship between gender identity and

the production and consumption of food in traditional and contemporary

societies.

web sites: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/nutshell.htm ; http://www.peta.org/

handout

Mar 2-6

(term paper topic due)

   A. List and describe popular explanations for hunger in American

society, as found in the mass media.

   B. List and describe popular explanations for global hunger, as found

in the mass media.

   C. Explain the causes of hunger using social scientific analysis.

handout

Mar 9-13

(Reaction paper #1 assigned)

   D. List and describe popular explanations for obesity in rich societies

like the United States, as found in the mass media.

   E. Explain the relationship between hunger and obesity in contemporary

society.

handout

Mar 23-27

V. Food and Health

   A. Discuss popular understandings of the relationships between

nutrition, diet, and health based on issues in the mass media.

   B. Explore current scientific understanding of the relationships

handout

Mar 30-Apr 3

   C. Identify and explore the connections between gender and diet in

American society.

   D. Contrast the causes of eating disorders with the causes of hunger.

 Apr 6-10

VI. The Global Food System and Ecology

   A. Trace the impact of human food production on ecosystems through

history.

   B. Discuss current ecological crises, particularly global climate

change, and their relationship to food.

 Apr 13-17

   C. Identify the components of a sustainable food system.

handout

Apr 20-24

(Term papers due Apr 20)

VII. Food Related Social Movements

   A. Describe the historical development of organic and sustainable

agriculture movements.

texts: Lyson, Chapters 6 & 7

handout

Apr 27-May 1

(Reaction paper #2 assigned)

   B. Discuss the development of alternative food marketing systems,

including food coops, farmers markets, community gardens, and community

supported agriculture.

   C. Explore examples of these movements in your area.

review texts: Lyson, Chapters 6 & 7

web: http://kccua.org/

          http://www.localharvest.org/

Week 14

May 4-8

(Deadline for food journal)