Module: Social Conditions of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture (4302-410)

This module not offered anymore!

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Claudia Bieling (verantwortlich)
• Dr. Cinzia Piatti (begleitend)

Degree Program:

• Earth System Science (Master, since 01.10.2013)
  3. Semester, elective
• Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  1. Semester, compulsory
• Earth and Climate System Science (Master, since 01.10.2017)
  3. Semester, elective
• Bioeconomy (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  3. Semester, elective
• Bioeconomy (starting WS 16/17) (Master, since 01.04.2017)
  3. Semester, elective

Relation to other Modules:

This module is of particular interest for students who intend to choose the modules "Ethical Reflection on Food and Agriculture" and "Gender, Nutrition and Right to Food".

Prerequisites for Attendance:

Acceptance into the above programme or basic knowledge and/or strong interest in social sciences

Sprache:

English

ECTS:

6 credits

Frequency:

every winter semester

Length of the Module:

1 semester

Compulsory assignment:

Written paper (50 %)

Final examination:

Oral exam (50 %)

Length of the examination:

20 minutes

Workload:

56 h presence + 104 h preparation at home + exam = 160 h workload

Professional competences:

After completing this course, students have a comprehensive understanding of agri-food systems and the paradigmatic shifts within. Students are in particular able to specify the diverse motivations and politics that have led farmers, consumers, and policy makers toward (or away from) more sustainable agri-food systems. They are familiar with the geographical, sociological, historical, political, legal, and economic aspects of how and why individuals, groups, and industries make (or are involved in) certain choices about food throughout the food chain (production, processing, trade, consumption).
To make sense of global agri-food systems, students are introduced to a theoretical framework that helps understand changes in food provisioning: In the 19th century, the bases of contemporary agri-food systems were established, but it is in the 20th century that they changed again; agri-food systems underwent a further period of transformation as the industrial processing of food, the emergence of large food transnational corporations and the integration of ever widening portions of the globe into the world food system restructured world food relationships. These series of changes have had dramatic consequences on agriculture and land use; it is from this that alternative forms of agriculture emerged and the organic movement blossomed, for instance. Factoring in an increasing array of ecological shocks and threats like climate change and peak oil, and dramatically changing cultural and political dynamics around food, agriculture and land use, the next turn to "local" and "traditional" gives a perspective of the big changes food systems underwent. Students are hereafter aware of the possible outcomes of the current developments in organic and sustainable agriculture.
In this course, students are provided with the conceptual tools to understand the sociological bases around which a future world of agriculture, food and land use will possibly take shape. Students have an insight into the political and social importance of food and agriculture and are able to identify different kinds of politics around agriculture and food production and consumption. Finally, they are able to explain basic concepts and theories related to organic agriculture and sustainability and have an understanding for the complexity of agriculture and food as it relates –among others– to the politics of resources, the environment and social justice.

Key competences:

During preparation for the exam, while writing their essay (written paper) and preparing and following up on the seminar, students practice self-reliance, time management and team work. They learn and practice both critical and analytical thinking and reading of scientific literature. Writing the essay enhances their scientific articulateness. During discussions in class, students practice and improve their capability of exploring a scientific issue and of orally presenting an academic argument.
With the help of dedicated tutorials, students are further supported with creating an essay plan and essay writing, quoting, referencing, and using academic and non-academic sources (therefore avoiding plagiarism).

Comments:

The written paper (compulsory assignment) comprises an essay on topics related to course contents, to be submitted during the course.
This course is taught by Dr. Cinzia Piatti.

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