This programme will prepare you to understand, critically assess, and practically engage with foodways and food systems.
Our core modules provide interdisciplinary perspectives drawing from fields including archaeology, classics, history, anthropology, sociology, geography, and political economy. You will survey the historical development of agriculture and food and develop an understanding of its place in the constitution of social identities and institutions. You will also analyse the workings of mainstream and alternative food systems and food chains as well as studying the challenges and proposed solutions to making foodways and food systems more sustainable.
A wide range of optional modules allows you to develop focused expertise in areas such as sustainable food production, health and nutrition, community development, education, or business and social enterprise.
An optional placement or internship will afford you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and to develop networks, while the dissertation will provide you with the chance to acquire expertise in a particular area of study and to develop research and writing skills.
The programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is University-based throughout the period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits in total and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two terms (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). Each taught module spans one term and is normally taught through seminars, underpinned by reading and essay assignments. The taught element consists of core modules, directed options and free options.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Modules:
- 120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
- You may choose either the 15 credit or the 30 credit version of each module, you cannot choose both
Compulsory modules
- Dissertation in Food Studies
- Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective or
- Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective
- Food, Body and Society or
- Food, Body and Society
- Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption or
- Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption
- Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment or
- Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment
