Sociology 270 - Food and the Environment: Towards Global Health, Justice, and Sustainable Development

(Offered as ENST-270 and SOCI-270) Food and farming make fundamental connections between humans and the earth. This course examines how agriculture, food systems, and rural development are entangled with environmental and social transformations around the world, and how we can cultivate solutions for global health, sustainability and social justice. Topics examined range from technological modernization and biotechnology to agroecology and food culture, malnutrition and obesity, food safety and environmental intoxication, land and labor struggles, race and gender issues in food systems, and from climate change to sustainable development. Readings draw from development studies and sociology, critical food and agrarian studies, political ecology and other interdisciplinary environmental studies. In addition to the lectures, students will cultivate critical thinking and improve skills in reading, writing, discussion, and creativity through dialogue, hands-on activities at the Book & Plow farm, creative exercises, and independent research.

ENST-120 or ENST-226 or ANTH-339 or permission of instructor. 
Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Assistant Professor Zhang.

How to handle overenrollment: ENST majors first, followed by SOCI majors, undeclared, first and second years, then 5-College students

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on readings, discussion, independent research, written work, field work or trips, and creative exercises.