Simpson Colloquium 101

This class will be a joyous and serious romp through the gastronomic world that is sure to whet your appetite and feed your soul, leaving you hungry for more. We will dig into how food dominates our daily lives, shapes our culture, and impacts the world. We will try to understand the geopolitical implications of food as a necessity and as a delicacy. For example, the American culture has an excess of food, and yet a poor diet contributes to our second leading cause of death. In other parts of the world, food is so scarce that millions of people die from hunger each year. From avocados to zucchini, you will learn how different cultures consume food and discover how food often defines culture. As Big Mama, owner of Big Mama’s Kitchen in Omaha says “There will be no peace in the world until everybody’s fed.”

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Meet Your Professor (Co-teaching this course with Ron Warnet)
Derek Lyons, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry

 

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Meet Your Professor
Ron Warnet, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry

I am actually a retired professor of chemistry, but I still teach part time. I am a foodie so I cook and I eat. I am intensely interested in the connection between food and culture. In addition I do research using DNA as construction material, grow a huge garden of fruits, vegetables and flowers. And I love to travel. Recently I accompanied 9 students for a Study Abroad Study Semester in Tahiti. I also study French at Simpson.   (In the kitchen at left and with my May Term food writing class at right.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meet Your Simpson Colloquium Leader
Marissa Stapleton

 

Hi my name is Marissa Stepleton and I’ll be a Sophomore next year at Simpson.  I am the destination leader for the class team taught by Dr. Lyons and Dr. Warnet, “You Are What You Eat“.  I am a Biochemistry and Spanish double major.  I am also on the swim team here at Simpson.  I went to Mason City High School in northern Iowa.  In high school I was involved in a number of activities swimming, softball, national honor society, and prom planning committee to name a few.  When I’m not going to class, studying, or at swim practice; I love hanging out with my friends, reading, and cooking.  I’m an extremely competitive person and also love doing almost anything outside, fishing, biking, you name it.  I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone in the fall.  Choosing Simpson was one of the best decisions I made and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail me or add me on facebook and message me.

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Meet Your Destination Leader
Sarah Jermeland

 

Hello everyone!

I’m Sarah Jermeland, and I will be your Writing Fellow for your Simpson Colloquium course this coming fall. I will be a Junior in the fall, and I am a Mathematics major. I am actually from Indianola, IA, so I didn’t travel too far from home when coming to college. But, I find that I have way too much fun at Simpson, so I rarely ever go home. In high school I was on the dance team, in band and chorus, and part of a variety of other activities.

During my first two years at Simpson, I have found myself focusing on my studies and tutoring in the Hawley Center. In the time I have away from studying, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going to all the events Simpson has to offer.

I love to meet new people and am very excited for this upcoming school year. Do not hesitate to contact me! You can always email me at sarah.jermeland@my.simpson.edu if you have any questions about writing. I can’t wait to meet you all!

 

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