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Thompson, Damien

Assistant Teaching Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • Currently I am engaged in the research design and initial data collection phase of a book project tentatively entitled Cooper Hill. The book will honor the past and envision a future where abundance, wealth, meaning and a deep connection to the land are redeemed from the past, primarily focusing on legacy of independent African American farming families. In this current moment we also need to understand their actions, the struggle of average black people, their hard work and commitment to create resilience in the face of Jim Crow. I also highlight my work to bring this vision and these values into the world through my own life and work.

keywords

  • Community Food systems, Permaculture, Food and Culture, Food Justice, Community Food Systems, historical roots of racism, anthropological theory, urban ethnography, cultural studies, anthropology of landscape, class and culture, food justice, food sovereignty, agroecology, ecological economics, Black farmers, Black farmers resilience

Teaching

courses taught

  • ENVM 5038 - Nourishing Humanity within Planetary Boundaries - Intro to Food Systems
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
    Take a holistic approach to exploring environmental, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of agri-food sustainability. Conceptualize food systems and their dynamics, recognize their achievements, come to terms with their role in environmental and social ills, and explore a range of promising alternative practices for rebalancing and building resilience in food systems. Recommended corequisite: ENVS 6305. Previously offered as a special topics course.
  • ENVM 5063 - Agroecology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    Integrating a scientific framework, and ecological concepts with a concern social justice and cultural regeneration, this class introduces students to Agro-ecology as a discipline and a set of practices highlighting the multi-functionality of agricultural systems. We will also explore Agro-ecology as a social movement that aims to leverage traditional ecological knowledge to decolonize the multiple ecologies from seed to gut. Recommended prerequisite: ENVM 5308.
  • ENVM 5068 - Qualitative Methods for Sustainability
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2024
    Qualitative Research Methods is oriented to students who are likely to engage in research of any kind, formal or informal, that is concerned with people and the environment. It will cover the methods, employed in social sciences, that help us understand people's perceptions, beliefs, motivations, and actions around environmental issues.
  • ENVM 6100 - Special Topics for Master of the Environment Program
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
    A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.

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