Global Politics of Food (011IRS)

30 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

What, why and how we eat is the consequence of global forces and has mega-impacts on dynamics of world development, poverty alleviation/creation, and environmental destruction. This course provides an in-depth examination of how food systems have shaped, and have been shaped, by global capitalism.

The course examines the relationship between changing forms of food production, distribution and consumption at key junctures in modern times – the origins of capitalism, the division of the world between richer and poorer zones, the emergence of British and later American global hegemony, the contemporary corporate food regime, causes of and responses to the global food crisis, and alternative conceptions, models and practices of food production, consumption and distribution.

Teaching

100%: Seminar

Assessment

30%: Coursework (Essay)
70%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 267 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2020/21. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: