Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description

Food for the Future

Instructor(s): John Brueggemann, Sociology

Examination of the sustainable food movement in the United States. America’s food system is failing: degradation of natural resources, unsound production practices of Big Agriculture and Big Food corporations, misleading marketing, mistreatment of labor, mistreatment of animals, food insecurity, and unhealthy consumption patterns. Against this ugly backdrop, a formidable countermovement has emerged. The sustainable food movement includes farmers, cooks, advocates for food justice, conservationists, medical professionals, educators and consumers committed to goals such as repairing the health of soil, growing vibrant crops, distributing healthy food, fostering food sovereignty, and protecting natural resources. Drawing from agricultural studies, economics, environmental studies, history, psychology, and sociology, students will explore question such as How did the sustainable food movement begin? Why have people joined this movement? What has it achieved? What are its future prospects? What risks or tradeoffs are in play? Students will read original research, interview sustainable food activists, and explore this movement’s potentials and pitfalls.

 

Course Offered:

• Fall 2019