Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module ENSS3431: FOOD RESOURCES, WELL BEING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Department: GEOGRAPHY (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES)

ENSS3431: FOOD RESOURCES, WELL BEING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap 35. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Completion of level 2 Environment and Development or Level 2 Geography, Environment & Development, or level 2 BA Geography.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide an analysis of current issues in sustainable development
  • To encourage students to apply the substantive and methodological knowledge that they have accumulated over their degree programme to the analysis of events and issues relating to sustainable development
  • To provide an awareness of the different positions held by different stakeholders and actors in tehse debates
  • To examine the socio-economic and physical characteristics of the agri-food systems of low income and industrialised economies.
  • To explore the way in which these systems are integrated through the world economy and the implications of such links.
  • To provide an analysis of current issues in sustainable development
  • To encourage students to apply the substantive and methodological knowledge that they have accumulated over their degree programme to the analysis of events and issues relating to sustainable development
  • To provide an awareness of the different positions held by different stakeholders and actors in these debates

Content

  • Defining and moving towards sustainable development
  • GM Technology
  • Renewable energy: a new energy future?
  • Sustainable waste management
  • Sustainable transport
  • Congestion charging Issues of sustainability in industrial economies Sustainable industrial districts
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Patterns of production and consumption, global food regimes.
  • The social, economic and political contexts of change. I
  • mplications of technological change in the food system: farming systems technology, biotechnology???s, infrastructure, communication and transportation, manufacturing and preservation technologies. Institutional change:
  • Agribusiness and global corporations; the organisation of international markets, futures and contracting, international government and non-governmental organisations, GATT and the WTO, patents, plant breeder???s rights and the implications for agri-food trade and aid.
  • The socio-economic and political consequences of change for individual actors and groups

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of this module, students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with current debates relating to sustainability
  • Appreciate the institutional, political, social and scientific aspects of theses issues and the inter-relationships between these different spheres of influence
  • Describe the organisation and structure of the international food system
  • Understand the implication for various actors of integration in the global food economy
  • Identify and analyse the institutional and technical factors affecting the production, exchange and consumption of food.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with current debates relating to sustainability.
  • Understand these and be able to contribute to them.
  • Appreciate the institutional, political, social and scientific aspects of these issues and the inter-relationships between these different spheres of influence.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • .

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 21 1 Per Week 1.5 Hours 32
      Seminars & workshops 21 1 Per Week 1 Hours 21
      Preparation and Reading 147
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Examination 3hour book examination 50% (Examination 100%) ; 2 x 2000 word essays 25% (each essay 50%).
      Component: Component Weighting: %
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      %

      Formative Assessment:

      Foramtive 1500 word essay and substantial essay plan, both with written feedback

      ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University