Food Systems Futures
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BUSI3208 | Business | 3 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- BUSI3208
- School
- Business
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module considers the critical issues related to transitioning to sustainable food production and consumption systems. Sustainable transition here refers to advancing towards systems that are equitable and can work within ecological limits. The focus of the module is on one fundamental societal need: food. Food and agriculture represent critical domains within debates on socio-ecological transitions, notably in terms of issues related to the food poverty and security agendas; to their contribution to emissions and climate change; to their connection to land systems and usage as well as biodiversity, but also to their socio-economic organising rooted in post-colonial and power imbalanced approaches. Food systems are complex and extended networks set up to bring goods to our table. They consist of interconnections between food producers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Globalisation and industrialisation have irrevocably shifted the way our food production and consumption systems are organised. With the climate crisis unfolding before our eyes and the complex nature of the ecological challenge it represents, we need to ask ourselves how will we rethink our relationship with the natural environment? How then will we organise our production and consumption systems to ensure that we live within ecological limits? What models of organising will emerge, which will be promoted, which will become redundant? Who will win and who will lose in the process? These are some the foundational questions that underpin this module. The module adopts a multi-level perspective from systemic trends to the role of (inter)national regulation and governance, (global) supply chains and organisations. Topics included in the module will allow exploring the politico-economic, societal and (inter)organisational dynamics underpinning such transition. Socio-ecological transitions are by nature an interdisciplinary notion and the module will present some of the various conceptual frameworks and theories that can be leveraged to critical analyse them. Examples of themes covered in this module include the history of global food systems, food and climate, technology and the future of food, (de)growth and food organising, the regulation of food systems.
Target Students
Available to Year 2 and Year 3 students. Also available to Exchange.
Classes
- One 3-hour workshop each week for 10 weeks
The module will be delivered through a mix of online resources and 1 weekly 3h workshop over 10 weeks. There will be one reading week in the module to enable students to progress with their project (assessment). Breakdown of student learning hours: 10x 3h face-to-face workshops – 30h, 10 x 1h online learning (preparatory reading, videos, etc.) - 10h, preparation and delivery of group project – 40h, individual assessment preparation – 20h
Assessment
- 50% Project: Project: practice-focused group presentation, 20-30 minutes
- 20% Participation: Participation: weekly workshop preparation
- 30% Coursework: 1,000 words
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims: To provide an appreciation of the impact of the ecological crisis on how we organise food production and consumption systems; To offer a multi-level perspective on the transition to sustainable food production and consumption systems both in terms of levels of analysis and temporal dimensions; To equip students with skills and theories to offer critical analyses and arguments in relation to specific challenges of socio-ecological transitions; To promote creative engagement with the topic of transitioning to sustainable food production and consumption systems through in-class activities and assessment.Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate an awareness of the interdisciplinarity and systemic nature of transitioning to sustainable food production and consumption systems
Apply appropriate theoretical and multi-level perspectives to explain the transition to sustainable food production and consumption systems and to critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of current approaches and proposed ‘solutions’
Develop creative ways to facilitate the transition to ecologically-focused and equitable through collaborative working.
Develop oral communication skills and ability to convey complex ideas to a wider audience.
Reflect and be mindful of own stance and values with regards to contentious aspects of socio-ecological transitions