Ole Ersson, M.D.

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Master VEG Program Schedule

Fall 2010

All classes are Tuesday evenings, 6:45 to 8:45 pm

Week 1: Introduction, Environment and Food Policy. September 28.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter

Introduction to the program. Overview, logistics, schedules, and expectations.
Quick class introduction and activity. Remarks about what will be discussed, and what will be omitted due to time constraints (we are dealing primarily with food and food production issues)

Diet Effects on Environment and Global Warming. Peter Spendelow, Ph.D.

Introduction to Ecological Footprints and food choices
Environmental impact of plant and animal-based agriculture: water pollution, air pollution, animal agriculture and global warming, resource consumption, habitat loss, water conservation, use of toxic substances in agriculture.
Disease transmission and creation in animal agriculture
Other environmental aspects of food choices - buy local, buy seasonal, buy organic

Food Policy. Don Merrick, Northwest VEG

Week 2: Animal Law and the Impacts of Animal Agriculture on Humans. October 5.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter

Animal Law and Agriculture. Kathy Hessler, Professor, Lewis & Clark Law School

Impacts of Animal Agriculture on Humans. Marsha Rakestraw, Certified Humane Educator

Week 3: Vegetarian Nutrition. October 12.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st

Tammy Russell, R.D.

Basic nutrition concepts
Discussion of vegetarian nutrition, including the vegetarian food groups.
Address issues such as getting enough calcium, protein, B-12, Omega 3, fat.

Week 4: Cancer Project Cooking Demonstration. October 19.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st

The Cancer Project Cooking Demonstration. Margarita Castro

An Introduction to Animal Consciousness and Awareness. Peter Spendelow, Ph.D.

Week 5: Animal Farm. Living Conditions for Farm Animals. October 26.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter

Understanding the Lives of Farmed Animals. Marsha Rakestraw, Certified Humane Educator

Week 6: A New Species of Thought. Philosophy on the Rights of Animals. November 4.

National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW Porter

Philosophical Perspectives on Animals. Ramona Ilea, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Pacific University

Brief historical overview of philosophical perspectives on animals from Pythagoras to a variety of contemporary thinkers. A more detailed overview of major philosophical objections to meat-eating: that animals have inherent moral value and rights (Tom Regan) and that animals deserve equal moral consideration, (utilitarianism and Peter Singer).

Week 7: A Vegan Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention. November 9.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st

Ole Ersson, M.D.

Diet and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis

Week 8: Communication and Vegetarian Living. November 16.

People's Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st

Marsha Rakestraw, Certified Humane Educator, plus panelists

Communication
Vegetarian activism; introduction to non-profits who work for health, consumerism, ecological, sustainable living, and animal welfare/rights issues.
Panel discussion on "Tips for Vegetarian Living"
Discussion of possibilities for volunteer opportunities for serving the 16 hours needed for earning the Master Vegetarian certificate.
Course wrap-up

Field trips:

2 Saturday field trips, to be announced.

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