For my practicum project, I decided to take the approved course CPSS340: The Infrastructure of Food, taught by Professor Nicole Mogul. I chose this class because it seemed like an interesting way to explore a topic that impacts everyone, even if we don’t always think about it deeply—food. The course focused on the systems and structures behind how food is produced, distributed, and consumed, and how these systems connect to larger issues like the environment, labor, equity, and culture. It ended up being one of the most engaging classes I’ve taken all year.
At the beginning of the course, we were asked to choose a food-related controversy that we’d research and follow throughout the semester. The idea was to explore the topic from all sides, understand who the stakeholders were, and get a full picture of the debate—not just our own opinions. I decided to focus on plant-based diets vs. non-plant-based diets, which is something I’ve heard a lot about but never really looked into in detail. I thought it would be interesting to learn more about the environmental, health, cultural, and economic arguments on both sides.
Throughout the class, we had guest speakers who shared their experiences and knowledge about different aspects of food infrastructure. These speakers came from various backgrounds with each one adding new information about the food system and the issues that come with it. We also did a lot of in-class discussions, roleplay activities, and even tried different food items, which made the class really engaging and hands-on. These activities made the learning experience more fun as well as memorable.
One of the most big parts of the course was the outside research we were expected to do. This included conducting interviews and watching community meeting videos that related to our chosen controversy. Through this, I learned how to actually find good information in the first place—by browsing online databases, using library resources, and learning how to narrow down my search terms to find useful material. I also had to conduct a few interviews, which at first felt kind of intimidating. But over time, I got more comfortable with it and started to see how to ask good questions, keep a conversation going, and stay professional throughout. It taught me how to actively listen and respond in a way that made the interview feel more natural. Some of the science related topics that I learned was information about or more of the lack of information we have on the meat industry and how they process their meat. I think a big part of science is understanding what we know and what we don't know, and what I find especially interesting is the stuff that we know but we hide others from knowing about. My research had brought up the idea of consumer transparency and also the advertisement of products with lean away from the cons. It was interesting to see that mix and also draw connections with that idea in many topics around science.
Another thing I picked up was how to take effective notes and pay attention to more than just the words being said. I learned to watch body language, tone of voice, and moments of hesitation—all of which can tell you just as much as the actual words people use. This helped me better analyze the perspectives I was hearing and understand where people were really coming from, whether they were advocating for plant-based diets or against them.
What made this class stand out is how it made me think about something I interact with every single day—food—but in a way I never had before. As someone who’s a math major, I’m usually dealing with just numbers and equations. This course pushed me into a more social, environmental, and human-focused space. It showed me how important food systems are, not just to our health, but to our communities, the planet, and even global politics. I realized that food is not just about what we eat—it’s about how we live, and who gets access to what.
Overall, taking CPSS340 was a really meaningful experience for me. It challenged me to step outside my usual academic comfort zone and helped me grow in areas I hadn’t expected, like research, communication, and critical thinking about real-world issues. It also sparked a new interest in environmental and food justice topics that I hope to keep exploring, even as I continue in a different field of study.