Agricultural Humanities

 
 
 

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The agricultural humanities minor offers you a unique opportunity to explore the interconnected relationship between humans and the land through an exploration of agriculture and humanities. The resources you develop in your studies will help you interrogate and understand your own relationship to the land. This minor will allow you to study and reflect on the central issues and challenges facing rural communities while also engaging in experiential learning opportunities to develop practical knowledge and skills and cultivate partnerships and relationships within the community.

Degrees

Agricultural Humanities

Minor

A Great Fit For

  • Regina Roth Applied Agricultural & Food Studies Students
  • Biology Students
  • Business Students
  • Humanities Students
  • Any student with an interest in agriculture and the humanities and our human relationship to the land

The Rooted: Integrated Humanities and Agricultural Project has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Learn more by visiting neh.gov

“Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this {article, book, exhibition, film, program, database, report, Web resource}, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.” 

How the Agricultural Humanities Minor benefits you:

  • Deepen your understanding of agriculture, rural communities, and the interconnectedness that land and humans share.
  • Gain practical skills related to communication, reading, critical thinking, writing, and analysis skills through curricula focused on experiential learning opportunities.
  • Network and build relationships with community partners who will be involved with building the opportunities available to you.
  • Access Morningside’s new ag facilities and farm.
  • Get to know agricultural and food studies faculty who are involved with ag-related co-curriculars including the Ag Club, Grill Team, and more.
  • Connect with humanities faculty who are involved with co-curriculars such as the student-run art and literary magazine Kiosk, the student-run Collegian-Reporter newspaper, and theater. Become empowered to contribute to the sustainability and wellbeing of your own community.
A student sits at a table reading a book

FEATURED COURSES

REQUIRED

The course covers the great revolutions in food and agriculture from the origins of cooking to the globalization of food and agricultural chains. The focus of the course is global. Food and agriculture are studied as a theme across the centuries and as part of other historical events. The course includes the study of interconnections of food and agriculture from the past to the present. Themes to be studied include: impact of cooking and agriculture in building societies, the development of crops, and the impact of food and agriculture culturally, socially, and economically.

REQUIRED

Through study of texts in a particular genre (such as novel, short fiction, drama, poetry, essay), students learn how writers create within or outside formal conventions and traditions and how readers’ genre expectations shape their experience of texts.

REQUIRED

Check back later for course description.

REQUIRED

This course will help students explore the relationship of religion and food and develop your skills in ethical reasoning and application. We use food as an entry point to religious studies and ethical issues around food and food production. Through readings, in-class presentation, and hands-on experiences, we will investigate case studies from different cultures and historical periods. We will explore aspects of food ways such as cooking, farming, sacrifice, and display as they relate to belief and practices. This class will challenge you to move beyond easy notions of culture, religious authority, and identity and consider your own assumptions, ethics, and values.

MEET THE FACULTY

Brandon Boesch

Brandon Boesch, Ph. D.

Assistant Professor

I love teaching at Morningside because I have the freedom to try novel approaches to really complex human questions–designing unique courses and class experiences to help pursue answers to those complex questions.

Brandon’s Profile
Elizabeth Coody

Elizabeth Coody

Assistant Professor

Elizabeth’s Profile
Thomas Paulsen

Thomas Paulsen

Applied Agriculture & Food Studies Department Head/Professor

Thomas’s Profile
Jennifer Peterson

Jennifer Peterson

Associate Professor

Jennifer’s Profile
Leslie Werden

Leslie Werden

Professor

To witness the growth and increase in confidence of students from day one to commencement is the most rewarding part of working here.

Leslie’s Profile

RELATED MAJORS & MINORS

Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.

WHY STUDY AT MORNINGSIDE?

13:1

student/faculty ratio so you’re assured a quality education focused on you

99%

employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation

65+

majors & pre-professional programs available

Next Steps

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Financial Aid

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Contact Us

Our admissions team is eager to answer your questions about this program and how to apply.

Lewis Hall Illustration