STS 130H - World Food Problems

This one-credit course serves as the orientation for new Cooper and Schreyer Honors Scholars at Penn State Brandywine. Students complete most of the work during the summer and complete the orientation by the end of September.

As the majority of the students in the seminar are freshmen, this seminar is the first academic approach students have to the topic of world food problems and the connection to democratic practices. The topics coverd are in the context of environmental sustainability and democracy: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. Food production and consumption, in particular, are high-priority needs. From organic foods to Frankenfoods, this course explores how we can make a difference in creating a sustainable society and how democratic practices can dictate the future direction of food resources locally and globally. One component of the course is to organize an open microphone session on National Constitution Day for the campus community to discuss world food issues.  The required text for the course is Dr. Jane Goodall's "Harvest for Hope."  With this seminar, students earn 1 credit towards Penn State's minor in Civic and Community Engagement.

Syllabus from honors offering in Fall 2008 (PDF file)