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Food Studies

  • Food studies is an interdisciplinary minor designed to introduce students to integrative learning experiences across areas of study within food and agriculture. The minor program provides students with curricular opportunities for developing knowledge and critical analytical skills and co-curricular opportunities for research and other applied experiences. Both the curriculum and co- curricular experiences are representative of the breadth and depth of food and agriculture studies available at Ursinus, and include natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities options, as well as interdisciplinary courses and experiences. A minor in food studies consists of 20 credits plus an applied learning experience. Requirements are as follows: Students must take two of the following four core courses (the other may be taken as an elective):

    • ANTH/ENV-230
    • BIO/ENVS-234
    • ENVS-243
    • HS-334

    Elective course options:

    • ANTH/ENVS-230
    • BIO-345
    • BIO/ENVS-234, 325, 334, 415W, 455W
    • ENVS-242, 243, 338, 366, 454W
    • HS-334
    • MCS/ENVS-302
    • POL-354
    • PHIL/ENVS-248
    • POL-343, 399
    • SOC/ENVS-288

    Special topics and other new courses may count toward the minor with the permission of instructor and the Food Studies coordinator. Such courses must contain substantive content germane to food studies. Courses taken during study abroad may also count toward the minor, with permission of the student’s academic advisor and the Food Studies coordinator.

    At least 12 of the 20 credits for the minor must be in addition to credits already counting toward the student’s major(s) and/or another minor.

    To fulfill the minor, students must also complete an applied learning experience the focus of which is germane to food studies, from among the following options:

    • Office of Sustainability Fellows Program (Food, Farm, Water, others as appropriate)
    • Internships (ENVS-381 or 382, others as appropriate)
    • Semester-long research (directed, independent, or honors) with participating food studies faculty
    • On campus or off-campus practicums (ENVS-001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, others as appropriate)
    • Accredited off-campus research (BIO- 485, others as appropriate)
    • Bonner Leaders Program
    • Melrose Fellows
    • Model UN
    • Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good Fellows
    • U-Imagine
    • Summer Fellows research
    • Study Abroad

    Use of Bonner Leaders, Melrose Fellows, Model UN, Parlee Center Fellows, U-Imagine, or Summer Fellows to fulfill the applied learning experience of the food studies minor requires the joint approval of the Food Studies coordinator and the director or advisor of the respective program.

Food Studies Website