Food production ranks among the most significant of human activities, entailing dynamics, processes, and effects of political-economic, environmental, historical, sociological and anthropological relevance. In this course we will use an interdisciplinary approach to examine these dynamics, processes, and effects as they pertain specifically to North Africa and the Middle East more broadly. We will consider the historical background to food and agricultural systems in the region, examining pre-colonial agriculture as well as the drastic and disruptive transformations entailed by enclosures, land expropriation, and the introduction of new property regimes under colonialism. In the “post-colonial”/ neoliberal/neocolonial era, we will explore the impact of International Financial Institution (IFI)-backed structural adjustment programs, “free trade” agreements, and corporate “land grabs” on food systems and the environment. We will also consider alternatives to the colonial-capitalist model of agriculture and food production that have emerged over time, including examining the regions’ anti-colonial struggles through the lens of the “agrarian question” as well as approaches and concepts, such as food sovereignty, political ecology, agroecology, food justice, fair trade and community-supported agriculture, all of which attempt to support more sustainable and equitable agriculture and food systems. Engaged, critical learning is encouraged, including regular guest speakers from NGOs and grassroots organizations in the region, films as well as discussions and lecture-based classes.