The Sociology of Food and Labor
MET ML 712
This course will bring a sociological perspective to the study of food and labor by exploring farming, farmers, and food production in the United States. Using an intersectional lens of class, race, gender, and sexuality, we will explore such questions as: How are social categories relevant to farming? What are the social and cultural narratives shaping our current understanding of farmers and farming? What is the relationship of this narrative to the recent upsurge of beginning farmers? How is food production influenced by, and influencing, social life? While much of the course reading is based in social science scholarship, material will include fiction, popular and visual media, memoir, and documentary film. Assignments include co-facilitation of one discussion, two short analytical papers, and a final paper/project.