September 10 – Introduction to Course Food and Culture

September 10

Class Content

Welcome to Food and Culture! In our first class, we will get to know one another, introduce the course, and begin thinking critically about food and food systems. We will look at some of the social, ecological, and economic problems connected to the global food system and consider why food-system transformation matters. We will also explore some alternatives, look at campus-community food initiatives at Concordia, and finish with a hands-on seed activity.

Supplemental Readings and Resources

These optional readings and resources are included for anyone interested in exploring the topics from class in more depth. They are not required.

The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems
Limiting Overshoot - Navigating exceedance of 1.5°C and pathways towards return
Stockholm Resilience Centre - Planetary Boundaries Reports

Presentation

Septeber 10

Schedule

Welcome & Icebreaker

– Introductions and icebreaker activity

Teaser About Global Food Systems

– Environmental, social, and economic problems in the global food system
– Food insecurity, corporate concentration, and sustainability
– Why food-system transformation matters

Introduction to Course Material

– Introductions and overview of the course
– What do we know about food?

Get-to-Know-You Activity

In small groups, introduce yourselves and discuss:

  1. What are your names, and what is something interesting about you?
  2. What do you expect to get out of this course, and why did you take it?
  3. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your knowledge of:
    – Food systems?
    – Transformative sustainability?
    – Food justice, food sovereignty, and food security?
  4. What experience do you have with food practices such as cooking, baking, gardening, composting, shopping at farmers markets or through a CSA, or working with food?
  5. What topics related to food studies interest you most? Which interest you least?
  6. What do you plan to do with what you learn in this course?

Food System Change

– From weak sustainability to food sovereignty
– Alternative ways of organizing food systems
– Campus-community food initiatives at Concordia
– CultivAction Solidarity Cooperative

Plant a Seed Activity

– Introduction to seed starting
– Plant a seed to grow at home

Questions, Concerns & Comments

– Course organization and expectations
– Questions, concerns, and comments

 

Questions