You need to choose 5 questions from this pool and provide a response for each that is at least 2 paragraphs in length. As such, I urge you to be as comprehensive as possible by using examples from the assigned readings and lectures to strengthen your responses. It is not expected that you spend more than 135-minutes to complete this exam, so please do not devote an excessive amount of time to any particular question. Be sure to clearly indicate which questions you are answering and type your responses into this document. (Doubled spaced, I would say roughly a page per question). Resources for the questions are as attached documents.
1. Thomas Malthus wrote extensively about the relationships between population growth and resources. He specifically mentions a series of positive and negative checks on population growth in order to mitigate pressures placed on resources. Please identify one (1) positive and one (1) negative population check and discuss how each impacts the balance between population and food resources.
2. A food regime is defined as the historical configuration of social and political relations that favors the dominance of one group or class over another within the food system. Some scholars argue that we are currently living within a corporate or neoliberal food regime. Please identify two (2) aspects of this current regime and discuss how each results in power imbalances between social groups or classes.
3. In his writings, Karl Marx critiqued the system of capitalism with particular attention on primitive accumulation. Please define and discuss the concept of primitive accumulation then provide an evaluation of how this phenomenon has affected human relationships with food production.
4. The provision of ecosystem services can be drastically altered by human-induced land use changes related to agricultural production across multiple scales. Please select two (2) categories of ecosystem services and discuss how they can change in response to land use decisions regarding agricultural production or other forms of resource extraction.
5. The process of urbanization is largely responsible for re-shaping the ways in which humans produce, maintain, and expand agriculturally productive land to meet changing demands. Please describe and discuss at least two (2) ways that urbanization is affecting the global food production system.
6. The Columbian Exchange connected the Old and New Worlds and is attributed to the creation of a worldwide, global economy. Please define the Columbian Exchange and provide a discussion of at least two (2) ways this phenomenon represents an early form of globalization.
7. Several forms of agricultural production were present in North, Central, and South America prior to European arrival. Please describe and discuss two (2) methods that were utilized in these regions.
8. Global patterns of dietary consumption have changed in the past several decades. While some of these shifts are viewed favorably, negative impacts on public health have also been documented. Please identify two (2) changes in global dietary consumption patterns and discuss the consequences of each.
9. Several production issues have been identified within the corporate or neoliberal food regime. Taken together, these concerns have led some to question the long-term sustainability of the system. Please identify two (2) of these production issues and discuss the potential drawbacks associated with each.
10. The Green Revolution is considered by many around the world as a resounding success that has significantly increased the available food supply. However, this success is not without concerns and embodies several unintended consequences. Please identify two (2) aspects of the Green Revolution and then discuss one (1) benefit and one (2) drawback associated with each aspect.