In class Professor Litfin committed several days over the past few weeks to contemplative practices— ex. the raisins and the chocolates. Contemplation is something we don’t really think about nowadays in our society. This chance Professor Litfin provided in class was actually something that really spoke out to me. These processed food products are everywhere and are easy to find…. Read more »
In our class, our professor has incorporated so-called “contemplative practices” into our lectures. These are short periods in class wherein we take a moment to slow down and really try to be mindful of ourselves, our surroundings, and the things we are learning. Although I was skeptical at first, I ended up being prove wrong. In particular, there is one… Read more »
Contemplative practices have been an interesting approach to understanding larger food systems. In particular, it has helped me understand food “culture” in America on a much deeper level. Food culture (and generally culture as well) in America is dominated by on the go, fast paced ideals. We want success, a beautiful body, and our good, healthy food and we want… Read more »
For most of us in the developed world eating comes naturally. A lot of us even eat more than we need to, I know I do. I tend to just eat anything whenever I feel like it even if I’m not hungry. I just like chewing and tasting, what can I say? If food is placed in front of me,… Read more »
A large majority of people within the United States are capable of walking into a grocery store, grabbing what is needed for their dinner that evening, and leaving without consciously considering the impact that food product had on another person’s life. Thinking contemplatively about where our food comes from isn’t a common practice, and if we rarely consider where our… Read more »
Throughout the quarter we have been doing contemplative exercises centered around understanding deeper our connection to these issues as well as how they fit into the global puzzle. It is easy to learn about different political and activist issues; however, it is often difficult to connect them to everyday life. By having these contemplative exercise, as well as learning about… Read more »
Throughout our time in class, we have participated in numerous contemplative practices, enveloping the themes of industrialized food, living systems and interdependence, hunger, and more. However, the one that stood out to me the most was the practice involving the chocolate, and the lesson surrounding international trade and global inequities. What intrigued me the most about this contemplative practice was… Read more »
The practice of cultivating self-awareness is a challenge that exists in all facets of life. In the study of world food politics, it is a practice which is vital to understanding various problems which plague our world. In our class, we have focused on a range of contemplative practices. These specific reflections have created a space which has allowed for… Read more »
***Click HERE to take a listen — Hoodia Rap*** Here is a rap song I wrote from the contemplative practice about industrialized food process, hunger, and its aftermath. The Hoodia plant grows naturally in the southern region of Africa. The San people traditionally consume the bitter plant as an appetite suppressant, to help survive in desert conditions where food resources… Read more »
In my opinion, contemplative practices should be necessary in today’s academia, especially in political science classes. With this being my first political science class taken, these practices help me to digest the material by being present and feeling “in the moment”, for example, with the raisin. With the raisin sitting in my mouth while Professor Litfin read “A Raisin In… Read more »