Where does our food come from? Is the way we grow, distribute, and consume it sustainable? What is the difference between organic and conventional agriculture? Are technologies, such as genetic modification, ethically defensible? How does our assessment change if we consider agriculture in developing countries? We will explore these questions through an interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies that draws on economics, politics, history, ethics, and the sciences. Students will investigate these questions through activities such as hands-on project in agricultural research, community-based learning projects with a community partner, and the development of a case study on a policy-relevant food issue.

This course is part of an exploratory project on the use of online instructional components, and will be taught jointly at Davidson and Wellesley. We will all have a common set of materials and assignments; students at both Davidson and Wellesley will be working together online on a number of different projects.