What does a food system that is fair and healthy for everyone look like and what steps can be taken to help create it?
In this learning community a group of professors, students and select community members will focus their attention on this question by exploring two regions that contain a wide variety of ecosystems, cultures and agricultural products and where food activism is strong. Oregon is known for its environmental laws and Ecuador is the first country to call for food sovereignty in its constitution. How do these policies play out in the lives of people who produce food and eat food? What are the impacts of the global food system on rural communities and on people's health? How are food activists attempting to change the food system?
In both Ecuador and Oregon, the group will visit sites of sustainable food production that are integrated into local, regional, national and international markets, as well as programs that highlight culturally important foodways outside of the market system. Particular attention will be given to indigenous foodways and ecosystems: Coastal and Plateau tribes in Oregon and Andean and Amazonian tribes in Ecuador. Food justice lies at the center of the explorations.
Students can fulfill the core requirements for the undergraduate certificate program in Food in Culture and Social Justice and graduate students can fulfill requirements for a minor in Food in Culture and Social Justice, with approval of their committee.
Students who want credit for the learning community experience must sign up for at least two of the following four courses during fall term, although they are welcome to take all four if desired:
- ANTH 486/567 Anthropology of Food/ Agrifood Movements
- LING 499/599 Language and Culture
- ES/IH 499/599 Nutrition and the Social Determinants of Health
- RS 499/599 Rural and Urban Links through the Food System
Contact Rebecka Daye for more information: dayer@oregonstate.edu
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 3, 2013
