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 World Food Problems
taught by Paul Porter and Kent Olson
This course provides a multi-disciplinary look at problems (and some of the possible solutions) affecting food production, storage, and utilization. Presentations and discussions introduce and discuss sometimes conflicting views on population control, use of technology, as well as the ethical and cultural values of the people in various countries of the world. Emphasis is placed on the need for governments, international assistance agencies, international research and extension centers, as well as the private business sector to assist in solving these complex problems. Students can enroll in either Agro 4103 or ApEc 4103. Previous background in any of the disciplines is not required, but students should expect upper division and/or graduate level assignments.
Prerequisites: [Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for: AGRO 4103, CVM 6060, FSCN 4103; prereq jr or sr or grad; meets Lib Ed req of Citizenship/Publ Ethics Theme; meets Lib Ed req of International Perspective Theme]
Credits: 3
Class Time: Wednesday, 6:00-9:00 pm
Location: 306 Borlaug Hall, St. Paul Campus
| Date |
Topics |
| September |
9 |
• Introduction to course and faculty
• Topic: Resources for a Hungry World (Paul Porter) Lecture Slides
• Assignment #1, due Sept. 30 : A Hungry World
• Reading assignment for Sept. 16: Chapters 1-3, Chapter Questions |
| 16 |
• Topic: Famine and Malnutrition (Kent Olson) Lecture Notes and Calorie Worksheet
• Reading assignment for Sept. 23: Chapters 4-6, Chapter Questions |
| 23 |
• Topic: Food
Distribution and Security Issues (Kent Olson) Lecture Notes
• Reading assignment for Sept. 30: Chapters 7 and 8, and Science, Technology, and Skills, Chapter Questions |
| 30 |
• Topic: Role of Science and Technology in Addressing World Hunger (Phil Pardey)
• Supplemental readings: Research, Productivity, and Food Prices in the Long Run and
Mendel versus Malthus
• Assignment #2, due Oct. 28: Science, Technology and Culture
• Reading assignment for Oct. 7: Chapters 9 and 10, Chapter Questions |
| October |
7 |
• Topic: Water Scarcity for Agriculture: The Issue for the Next 2 Decades (K.W. (Bill) Easter)
Lecture Notes
• Reading assignment for Oct. 14: Chapters 11 and 12 Chapter Questions |
| 14 |
• Topic: Nutrition, Food, and Health across Cultural Communities (Craig Hassel)
Lecture Notes
• Reading assignment for Oct. 21: Chapters 13 and 14 Chapter Questions |
| 21 |
• Topic: Agricultural Productivity (Paul Porter) Lecture Slides
• Reading assignment for Oct. 28: Chapters 15 and 16 Chapter Questions |
| 28 |
• Topic: Role of Institutions (Ron Phillips) Lecture Slides
• Assignment #3, due Nov. 18: Productivity, Institutions, Biotechnology, Animals
• Reading assignment for Nov. 4: Chapters 17 and 18 Chapter Questions |
| November |
4 |
• Topic: Role of Animals (Mike White) Lecture Slides
• Reading assignment for Nov. 11: Chapter 19 and 20 and John Vreyens article;
Chapter Questions |
| 11 |
• Topic: Africa: Lessons Learned in Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo (John Vreyens)
• Reading assignment for Nov. 18: Chapters 21-23 |
| 18 |
• Topic: Climate Change and Food Production/Copenhagen Meeting (Paul Porter) |
| 24 |
• Tuesday: Feed My Starving Children |
| 25 |
• No class – Thanksgiving Eve |
| December |
| 2 |
• Presentations on Term Projects
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| 9 |
• Presentations on Term Projects |
| 16 |
• Last day of classes
• Topic: Discussion of all topics in World Food Problems course (Kent Olson & Paul Porter) |
| 18 |
• Final Paper Due (before
4:30 pm) |
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