AGR 104: An Edible History of Humanity (3-3-0)
This course traces food through human history. Topics include: how the Neolithic period transformed hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists; how sedentary societies that store food create inequalities in wealth and power; how specialty products such as beaver-pelts and spices motivated exploration and colonization; how crops and fossil fuels expanded agricultural productivity, allowing many people to pursue non-farming occupations; how political leaders use power over food supply to mobilize armies and to crush dissent; and …how the 20th century Green Revolution solved some problems but now creates new ones.
This course traces food through human history. Topics include: how the Neolithic period transformed hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists; how sedentary societies that store food create inequalities in wealth and power; how specialty products such as beaver-pelts and spices motivated exploration and colonization; how crops and fossil fuels expanded agricultural productivity, allowing many people to pursue non-farming occupations; how political leaders use power over food supply to mobilize armies and to crush dissent; and …how the 20th century Green Revolution solved some problems but now creates new ones.
- Teacher: Bryan Dale