PS 1357 - THE POLITICS OF FOOD, LAND, AND SUSTAINABILITY

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
The debates surrounding food and agricultural land are often seen as scientific and outside the realm of social scientists. Yet many of the key decisions regarding food production, distribution, and consumption are decidedly political. This course provides students with the concepts and theories necessary for understanding and analyzing the various policies and proposals put forth by food producers, consumer groups, politicians, government regulators, and other food-related interest groups. This course is based on the premise that rational and desirable policy goals for any society are to create and maintain food systems that promote health, protect the environment, are sustainable, and support the livelihoods of participants, but that powerful forces in society including large businesses seeking profits and school boards protecting budgets may oppose this premise in theory or practice. Hence: politics. The course considers how the U.S. and other governments develop policies aimed at ensuring a sufficient, nutritionally adequate, safe, affordable, and sustainable food supply. Drawing on contemporary case studies, it examines: why and how governments establish food and nutrition policies; how stakeholders in the food system use the political system to influence policy; the cultural, social, economic, and political factors that influence stakeholder and government positions on policy issues.
Academic Career: Undergraduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: LG/SNC Elective Basis
Course Attributes: Asian Studies

Click here for class schedule information.

Add to Portfolio(opens a new window)