Nutrition and Food Sciences: U.S. Food Policy and Politics

Provides a systems perspective on U.S. food policies and politics across the food system. Focuses on understanding the U.S. food policy process, policymakers, stakeholders, issues, goals and feedbacks between food policy and politics. Prerequisites: NFS 1073 or CDAE 1020 or CDAE 1040. Cross-listed with: FS 2010.

Prereqs enforced by the system: CDAE 1020 or CDAE 1040 or NFS 1073; Cross listed with FS 2010 A; Total combined enrollment: 90 Open to degree and PACE students

In this course, students will analyze the impact of the US food policies and politics on local and global food systems. They will learn how food policy and laws, such as the farm bill, and food politics impact the production, consumption and exchange of food and crops. Students will learn to evaluate the food system trade-offs when utilizing tools like taxes, tariffs, subsidies, and food aid. They will explore the impact of these tools on the local, national and global food system. At the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate the costs and benefit (trade-offs) in 1. Delivering food safety nets, 2. Conserving biodiversity, 3. Reducing the impact of climate change and, 4. Reducing food waste and loss, 5. Increasing economic development, in addition to 6. Increasing production and consumption of healthy foods.

This class will be held in-person unless directed by the University. The course is divided through 5 major sections. Discussions on 1. Challenges and Opportunities, 2. US food policy and law making 3. Impacts on International trade, 4. Impacts on diets and consumption, 5. Impacts on the Environment. The focus of the discussions will be on the US food system, but students will be introduced to evidence and research from developing countries. The course will include lectures and in-class discussions. Prior to class, students are expected to read chapters assigned as lectures and discussions will build on this base knowledge. Discussion boards are due over the semester, which will be submitted on brightspace. There will be 2 midterm exams and a final exam, which will be in person and in the class room (please see section 6.2 for detailed dates and times). In the last week of class (week 15), 10-12 student groups will present insights from their analysis of a food policy on the national (or international) food system. Time for group work and instructions for the presentation will be sharing during some classes. At this time, students can work in their groups to develop their project. Attendance in the last week is compulsory. Students will be evaluated by their peers for their involvement and participation in group work as part of class participation scores.

Students will be assessed through a combination of individual and group work. Individual evaluations include discussion boards and quizzes submitted on Brightspace, as well as two midterm exams and a final exam, all held in person. Group evaluations will center on a final presentation in week 15, where student teams analyze a food policy’s impact on national or international food systems. Participation is also evaluated, including peer assessment of group contributions. Attendance in the final week is mandatory.