The Politics of Food: A Policy Ecosystem Approach

2 units

This course examines U.S. food policy and politics through a policy ecosystem framework, which includes legislative, executive, judicial, advocacy, evaluation, lobbying, negotiation, strategy, elections, and community arenas. Students will explore how food security, nutrition programs, and food justice debates move across these arenas and how power is exercised and influenced to shape outcomes. Utilizing food and food security as the primary areas of focus, the course introduces formal government processes and informal political practices that can apply to numerous policy areas and issues, preparing students to engage with and influence policy debates that directly impact communities.