Cmty Dev & Apld Econ: World Food,Pop & Develop

Agricultural development emphasizing natural and economic phenomena and the effect of food supplies on population trends and policies.

Open to Degree and PACE students

This course provides an introduction to international development with particular emphasis on food, population, economic and ecological issues. A D2 and Sustainability course, the content emphasizes how development affects marginalized populations (smallholder farmers, women, indigenous populations, and others living in low- and middle-income countries) and development strategies that are flexible and adaptable to meet the perspectives and priorities of different people and populations. The geographical scope is global focusing on Latin America, Asia, and Africa and their connections to North America and Europe.

By the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. Identify and explain various meanings and measurements of development, including their ethical underpinnings, and how they are relevant to diverse peoples. 2. Critically assess several concepts, views, and explanations pertaining to social, economic, and ecological dimensions of sustainable development including global poverty, food security, population growth, environmental hazards, and natural resource management, with focus on how these issues are experienced in diverse contexts. 3. Ascertain how international political economic systems have influenced and continue to play a central role in sustainable development around the globe and specifically people’s livelihood strategies. 4. Understand and analyze global, national and local linkages, opportunities, and challenges, as well as planning and policy strategies, to pursue poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable development for people pursuing diverse livelihoods. 5. Articulate informed perspectives related to a variety of debates regarding sustainable development to understand how societies shape food and agricultural systems and how food and agriculture shape societies. 6. Comprehend the interconnections among social, economic, and ecological dimensions of food and agriculture systems and sustainable development. 7. Make informed decisions as consumers and citizens in terms of how to thoughtfully engage in food and agriculture systems and sustainable development. 8. Utilize systems approaches to achieve a greater understanding and capacity to address the challenges related to international development.

Students will be assessed through a variety of means including attendance, participation, quizzes, discussions, and exams.