Sociological, Ethical Issues of Food Production Topic of New Course
Alma College has been awarded $8,000 to teach a course on the
sociological, ethical and theological issues of food production and
distribution. The class will be taught in partnership with Chicago’s
McCormick Theological Seminary and several Presbyterian churches.
Alma is one of five Presbyterian-related colleges to receive funds from
a grant from the Lilly Endowment that was developed through
collaboration between the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and
Universities (APCU) and one of its member institutions, Presbyterian
College in Clinton, S.C. The grant specifies that teams of college and
seminary faculty, administrators, ministers, youth educators and
parishioners work together to design a project that addresses a
particular issue of pluralism and globalization from a Christian
perspective.
APCU is an independent, not-for-profit organization that exists to
strengthen the mission of colleges and universities related to the
Presbyterian Church (USA).
“The APCU grant allows us to develop a new academic course which
expands opportunities for our students,” says Carol Gregg, Alma College
Chaplain. “In addition, it enables us to strengthen our
relationship with McCormick Theological Seminary.”
Gregg says that McCormick Theological Seminary is an ideal partner for
the project since it is the closest of the 10 Presbyterian seminaries
in the United States. Alma College also has a personal connection with
the school as President Tracy is on McCormick’s Board of
Trustees.
Alma and McCormick have proposed to develop a several-week, intensive
course taught simultaneously at the respective institutions during May
2009 that explores the complexities of food production and distribution
from a variety of perspectives.
According to the project grant application, food production and
distribution is a universal issue, given that food is shipped across
the world, food aid is provided by international agencies, and societal
structures and farming are affected by subsidies and international
influences appropriate to food and hunger. It also is a theological
issue as Christians are called to serve others and feed the
hungry.
The course will include visits to the partner location with a
service-learning component so that class members may gain a better
understanding of issues regarding hunger and food in rural and urban
environments as well as their roles as active, faithful citizens.
After participating in the college or seminary course, the
congregational partners will be equipped to create a similar course
curriculum appropriate for adult education classes in local
congregations, thus benefiting a larger community extended beyond the
schools and students.
Religious Studies Assistant Professor Kate Blanchard and Sociology
Associate Professor Catherine Fobes will team up to teach the course at
Alma College.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic
foundation created in 1937 by members of the Lilly family. In
keeping with the wishes of these founders, Lilly Endowment exists to
support the causes of religion, education and community development.
The Endowment affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young
people and promote leadership education and financial self-sufficiency
in the nonprofit, charitable sector.
Posted: Wed, August 1st, 2007 at 8:42AM
