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This course will introduce students to food systems in the context of sustainability.  Students will learn about the US food system as well as global aspects of food.  Sustainability in agriculture will be explored from environmental, economic, and social aspects.  The major challenges facing agriculture and food systems sustainability such as rapid climate change, environmental degradation of soil and water, water availability, and other natural resource depletion and will be studied. The course will look critically at our current food system in relation to human health and health policies and food access.  Students will learn about what impacts food preferences and food consumption and how this relates to the food system.

The course will have extensive reading assignments on relevant topics and class discussions on those topics

 

 

Students will also:

  • Interview food producers or food professionals
  • Maintain a food and waste diary
  • Conduct a supermarket analysis
  • Do food shopper interviews
  • Present a food report
  • Research a food systems topic
  • Grow food on the UD farm

The class will end with a shared dinner prepared by the students.

The CANR is excited to offer two study abroad opportunities for Winter 2018.  Check out the information below to learn about these two exciting trips and their upcoming information sessions.  Stay tuned for other potential CANR study abroad trips that are being planned!

NEW ZEALAND STUDY ABROAD
There will be an Interest Meeting where you can hear about the program and ask lots of questions on Monday December  5th at 4:00 in MEM 108.  All majors welcome!

The program takes place on the south island of New Zealand at Lincoln University which is about 15 miles from the city of Christchurch. Our host for the month is Lincoln University  and students on the program stay in single dorm rooms on campus.  We meet for class 4 days a week and have field trips 3-4 days per week – so we keep you very busy!  Most of our field trips are to real farms or “stations” as they call them in New Zealand.  You also have plenty of free time to explore the island on your own. New Zealand is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. You will be accompanied by Professor Lesa Griffiths and Susan Garey who stay with you at Lincoln University and teach the two courses - which will be an ANFS animal science course and an AGRI sustainable agriculture course.  If you are interested, come to the Interest Meeting on the 5th and send Dr. Griffiths an email: lesa@udel.edu saying that you are interested and she will start the “Interest List” to keep you apprised of program planning updates.

LANDSCAPE EXPLORATION OF BRAZIL 
Learn about this exciting study abroad at an interest meeting on Thursday, December 8 in at 4 PM, in 317 Gore Hall.  In the Landscape Exploration of Brazil study abroad program (W2018) students will study how humans interact with plants while learning methods to capture details in the landscape using freehand sketching and journaling.  The program will begin in the Amazon rain forest where students will explore local fauna, flora and culture.  We will then fly to Rio de Janeiro and stay in a hotel about one block from Ipanema beach.  We will see how the work of the famous landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx impacts Brazilian culture in public and private gardens in and around Rio. We will also enjoy the beach, modern art museums and various cultural events such as samba and the famous “hippie fair”. Students will interact with members of the landscape firm Roberto Burle Marx, LTD as they study a variety of Brazilian landscapes and artists.  The two courses, Plants and Human Culture and Field Sketching of Landscape Subjects will include some classroom sessions as well as a wide variety of field trips to local gardens, museums, and parks.  The program will be led by Dr. Susan Barton.  If you are interested, come to the Interest Meeting on the 8th or send Dr. Barton an email: sbarton@udel.edu and you will be placed on an “Interest List” to keep you apprised of program planning updates.