Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - SA 326 D100

Food, Ecology and Social Thought (S) (4)

Class Number: 4936

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Yildiz Atasoy
    yatasoy@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Monday: 5:20-6:30 pm (by appointment)

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Modernization narratives have placed food and agriculture on the margins of social thought. The current ecological crisis requires us to take a new look at the global agrifood system and its social, political and ecological relations. This course develops analytical perspectives on contemporary issues concerning food, ecology and agrarian change.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course focuses on the sociology of food and agriculture and their ecological relations. Modernization narratives have placed agriculture and food relationships on the margins of most social analysis. However, the current ecological, economic, and food crises are forcing us to take a new look at global agrarian transformation and shifting relations of food, as well as their implications for the well-being of humans and non-human nature.

The course examines the crisis in the currently dominant neoliberal "global food system" from a historical perspective. It also focuses on the current conditions of COVID-19 and climate change through the following lenses: peasant dispossession; land grabs and seed enclosures; gendered and racialized labour relations; industrialization of food including biotechnology and supermarketization; displacement of farming cultures and colonization of food producers. The course provides unique opportunities to re-imagine the relationship among farming, food getting, and the nature by exploring global diversity in agricultural knowledge(s) including indigenous knowledge and non-market values of well-being; food sovereignty and locally sustainable agroecological movements; re-peasantization; the taste and smell of place and local cuisines.

Grading

  • In-class written weekly reflections on lectures & readings 5%
  • In-class written commentary 20%
  • Class presentation 30%
  • Critical journals 25%
  • Presenting the international news of the week/discussion question 10%
  • Participation in class discussions 10%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Available on Canvas, online, and at SFU Library. All required course readings are available on Canvas. I have also listed some optional readings for your perusal if you wish to read more.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.