Agriculture and Society: Agriculture as the Foundation for Modern Civilization

This course offers an introduction to the origins, evolution, and history of agriculture as the foundation of civilizations throughout history. It analyzes the influence of agriculture within the context of various civilizations and societies throughout history, including its integration in social, economic, and political institutions of those societies, through examination of historical artifacts such as literature, art, and social customs. The course includes evaluation of agriculture rooted in agrarian philosophy influencing economic and biological systems within present day societies, challenges such as global hunger, as well as the implications of future innovations in the production of food and fiber to meet the needs of growing populations. The development of agriculture and modern production systems from the colonization of the present day United States and California will be examined, with a focus on increasing awareness of the prevalence and importance of agriculture, and its impacts on nearly all aspects of modern daily life. Field trips may be required. Transfer credit: CSU; UC. Transfer credit: CSU.