RP336: Ethical Eating : Food Ethics and the Environmental Crisis

Credits 4
Skill

Food is a moral issue. Every time we eat we make a decision that affects ourselves,  others, and the planet.  So how can we eat well?  What does it mean to produce, distribute, and consume food in a morally responsible way?  This class will explore these complex questions by introducing students to the basic issues of ethical theory, food ethics and environmental philosophy.  Do we have moral responsibilities to nonhuman animals and the earth?  If so, how can we practice agriculture in a sustainable way that honors these responsibilities? What are the pros and cons of a globalized food system? What is food insecurity and how do we address it? Should we be worried about bioengineering and GMO's? These are just some of the many questions we will be addressing inour quest to discover what it means to become ethical eaters. 

This course will explore the intersections between ecology and ethics. Through both theoretical readings in moral philosophy and topic-based readings on particular environmental issues, students will engage in serious reflection on the obligations that we have toward the natural world. In addition to traditional coursework, students will also undertake a major, hands-on project that explores a substantial ecological issue in the Wilmington and/or tri-state area.
Prerequisites