Sustenance and Sustainability: Sociology and Political Ecology of Agro-Food Systems
Welcome to Sustenance and Sustainability! This course explores the nexus of agriculture, society, and the environment. Two overarching questions guide us: first, how might societies create ecologically, socially, and economically regenerative agricultural systems? Second, how might we achieve this in ways that foster justice, equity, and respect for diverse cultures and practices? Using an interdisciplinary lens, we explore the agro-food system, analyzing ways that prevailing agricultural practices intersect with environmental, economic, and social crises. We also critically examine myriad alternative agricultural initiatives such as local food, organic farming, community supported agriculture, food sovereignty movements, and agroecology.
Topics
- Students completing this course will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors precipitating the rise of the prevailing industrial agricultural system in the United States, as well as crises and opportunities fostered by that system. Drawing on foundational theories in the fields of sociology and politically ecology, students will critically analyze emergent alternative agricultural practices, initiatives, technologies, and social movements. To demonstrate their mastery of course material, students will use multiple learning modalities, including articulating course lessons verbally (in discussions and student-designed lesson plans and oral presentations); in writing (through a range of course writing assignments); and in peer collaboration (in group research projects, instructional games, and field work days). Students will also create an original, synthetic project that will apply a comprehensive understanding of course themes.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027