Topics in Mycology: Fungi and Food Justice

This four-credit course will be taught in conjunction with the Fungi for Human Health and the Environment Program. In this course, students will explore connections between fungi, humans, society, and the environment with an emphasis on the intersections of fungi and food justice. Topics will include traditional ecological knowledge systems as well as history, political economy, and equity issues within the fungal food system. Guiding questions will include: What are the social and ecological impacts of commodifying mushrooms and other fungi, especially ones that have major significance to Native communities across the Americas and beyond? What are the common labor conditions of mushroom workers? What are some of the environmental impacts of large scale, commercial mushroom operations? Who benefits, who gets excluded, and who gets burdened with the costs?

Learning modalities will involve weekly asynchronous modules that include video presentations, films, and readings as well as synchronous class meetings. Assignments will include discussion board posts, collective seminar annotations, and a final integrative reflection. This course is a hybrid-remote offering; to be successful, students will need access to reliable high-speed internet and a computer.

Please note the unique schedule for this course. The course will meet once during the first week of the quarter (on Zoom) and then the course will meet again in week 6 on a weekly basis. In the second half of the quarter, students can expect about 3 hours per week of synchronous (scheduled) class mainly on Zoom; one in-person class during week nine; and an additional 7 or so hours per week of asynchronous work including completing assignments.

This is an elective course that is part of the Mycology Certificate. Students in the certificate program with less experience in mycology are encouraged to take the Fungi for Human Health and the Environment elective for a broader exploration of topics. Courses can be taken in any order.