Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - GEOG 385 D100

Food and the City (4)

Class Number: 7954

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    At least 45 units, including GEOG 100 or REM 100.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An exploration of how food is related to cities, giving particular attention to the culture and politics of food production, distribution, and consumption.

COURSE DETAILS:

Food is a necessity of life but it is also so much more, touching almost every aspect of our lives.  In this course we will explore the ways in which food is embedded within the geography of cities through the lens of foodscapes in Vancouver and other urban contexts.  Topics will include: how race, ethnicity and gender influence people’s relationships to food production and consumption, the politics of food access; food gentrification, food security and food sovereignty and how COVID has altered our food landscapes.  Students will engage with these issues through academic and popular readings, videos, and a field trip.

Mandatory Supplemental Fee of $17.56 (for field trip)

Your mandatory supplementary course fee covers costs associated with a class Foodscape Tour of Chinatown. Be aware that during the field trip there may be periods of crossing roads with busy traffic. Appropriate clothing and foot wear must be worn. Further details regarding safety will be discussed prior to the field trip. Students must at all times remain compliant with all student responsibilities, regulations, and policies as outlined in the current Academic Calendar, as well as relevant regulations and policies as outlined in the SFU Policy Gazette. This includes, but is not limited to, expected student conduct and the maintenance of appropriate medical insurance coverage.

No tutorials the first week of class.

Grading

  • Quizzes 20%
  • Tutorial Participation 20%
  • Book Club 30%
  • Foodscape Project 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required Texts: (Only one of these will be required)

Ableman, M. (2016). Street farm: Growing food, jobs, and hope on the urban frontier. Chelsea Green Publishing.  ISBN 9781603586023

Hui, A (2018) Chop Suey Nation: The Legion Cafe and Other Stories from Canada’s Chinese Restaurants.  Douglas & McIntyre.  ISBN 9781771622226

Reese, A. M. (2019). Black Food Geographies: Race, Self-Reliance, and Food Access in Washington, D.C. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press.  ISBN 9781469651491

All books available through VitalSource and on-line at SFU library

Additional required readings will be made available to students electronically. 


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html