6.7: Assignments
- Page ID
- 292406
This page is a draft and is under active development.
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)1: Policy Memo
Title: Designing a Just and Sustainable Food System
Write a 2–3 page policy memo addressed to a national government or international organization.
Your memo must:
- Propose 3–5 policy recommendations
- Integrate at least two frameworks (e.g., food sovereignty, planetary health, political economy)
- Address both inequality and sustainability
- Include a short implementation strategy
2: Case Study Analysis
Title: Food Systems in Context
Choose one country or region (e.g., Brazil, India, Kenya, U.S., etc.) and analyze its food system.
Include:
- Historical context (link to colonialism/globalization)
- Current challenges (nutrition, inequality, environment)
- Policy or governance structures
- Application of at least 2 theories from the chapter
End with: A short “future scenario” (best-case or worst-case)
3: Design Justice Audit (Enhanced)
Title: Who Is This Food System Designed For?
Choose a food-related system:
- Grocery store chain
- Food delivery app
- School lunch program
- Fast food brand
Evaluate it using:
- Design justice
- Structural inequality
- Health outcomes
Deliverable: 2-page audit + redesign proposal
4: Data Diary + Systems Reflection
Title: Mapping Your Food System
Track your food consumption for 5–7 days.
Then analyze:
- Where your food comes from (trace at least 3 items globally)
- Environmental impact (approximate)
- Health patterns
- Cost and access
Final reflection: How does your personal food system reflect global inequality?
5: Group Project
Title: Build the Future of Food
In groups, design a future food system model (year 2040).
Must include:
- Production model (e.g., agroecology, tech-driven, hybrid)
- Governance structure
- Equity strategy
- Environmental sustainability plan
- Cultural considerations
Deliverable options:
- Slide deck
- Short video pitch
- Visual system map
6: The “Hot Take” Debate Assignment
Title: Food Fight
Students choose one controversial statement and defend or critique it:
Examples:
- “There is no ethical consumption under capitalism.”
- “Meat consumption should be globally restricted.”
- “Technology will solve hunger.”
- “Food sovereignty is unrealistic in a global economy.”
Format: 800–1000-word argument OR recorded debate
7: Wild Card Assignment (Most Fun to Grade 🔥)
Title: If Food Systems Were Fair…
Prompt: Imagine a world where food systems are fully equitable, sustainable, and healthy.
Describe what this world looks like—and how we got there.
Students must:
- Ground their vision in at least 3 concepts from the chapter
- Identify barriers to achieving it
- Explain what must change structurally
Format options:
- Essay
- Narrative/story
- Policy vision
- Creative (but must include theory)

