Valuing Variety: Agrobiodiversity
CLLC-L 230 (Section 30855)
with GenEd and N&M credit |
3 credit hours
10:10-11:00am | M/W/F | Cravens B
Instructor: Madeline Chera, Department of
Anthropology, mchera@indiana.edu
It is estimated that 90% of the fruit and vegetable
varieties that grew historically in the U.S. are now gone, and scientists tell
us that we are in the middle of a period of dramatic loss of agricultural
genetic resources, following similar trends in biological diversity more
generally. The global dependence on a narrowing group of plant varieties and
livestock breeds has prompted many large-scale conservation efforts aimed at
maintaining agricultural diversity and documenting the local farmer knowledge
that has helped shape and preserve it. These efforts are rooted in Western
conceptions of biodiversity more generally. However, unlike other forms of
conservation, which often involve restriction of human influence on other
biological life, agrobiodiversity is defined by the interaction between humans
and their food over time. People are at the center of this issue, and cultural
and political issues are critical to conservation.
——
The course is open to all! However, you might be especially
interested in this course if...
- you need
N&M credit.
- Students
who are more comfortable with the social sciences and humanities, but who
are looking to engage with biological and environmental science issues
(for N&M credit) might like this course. We will be examining
agriculture and biodiversity through the lenses of history, culture, and
policy, in addition to going over some basic scientific concepts.
- you want to
approach one topic from multiple directions.
- Students
who are interested in focusing on a single theme in an interdisciplinary
way (for Gen. Ed. credit) might like this course. We will be working with
readings and other media from several different fields, and hearing from
various perspectives, like farmers, activists, and scientists.
- you are
“over" giant lecture courses.
- Students
who enjoy smaller classes, and are comfortable with a seminar format,
mixing some lecture with open discussion, might like this course. We will
be fostering an intimate, friendly learning environment.
- you like food.
- Students
who are passionate about food sustainability and food justice, as well as
those students who are just a little curious about food studies, might
like this course. We will be learning about crop breeding, the benefits
and drawbacks of having different types of food sources, and political
and social issues related to agriculture.
- you like the
environment.
- Students
who care about environmental conservation and want to explore one of the
most critical arenas of human-environment interaction, agriculture, might
like this course. We will be following discussions about agrobiodiversity
from imperial natural history to current international policy.
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