Module: Social Conditions of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture (replaced by: 4302-410) (4303-440)

This module not offered anymore!

Persons:

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

Relation to other Modules:

This module is of particular interest for students who intend to choose the modules "Ethics of Food and Nutrition Security", "Gender, Nutrition and Right to Food". Students will be able to write their Annotated Bibliography that forms part of the grade within the Organic Agriculture and Food Systems Project or on topics relating to this module.

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

Module examination:

written

Length of the examination:

120 minutes

Workload:

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

Professional competences:

The purpose of the class is to introduce students to the diversity of organic and sustainable agriculture and food systems and also social movements throughout the world, and their relevance to socially organized efforts to move forward human and environmental well-being in the context of agriculture. The emphasis is not on the technicalities of organic production, but rather on the diverse motivations that have led farmers, consumers, the private sector and policy makers toward (or away from) more sustainable and/or organic food systems. This necessarily incorporates a consideration of 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).
Students will further become familiar with the theoretical frameworks of Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches and Sustainable Diets, and how organic and sustainable agriculture complement these framework. Invited guest lecturers from various sectors (academia, civil society organisations, development cooperation) will present empirical research and case studies relating to the themes dealt with in this module, exposing students to diverse perspectives and illustrating how the concepts discussed in this module are applied in practice in the various sectors.

Key competences:

Presenting empirical research and case studies from various geographic regions and contexts and engaging students in group work and interactive discussions with the lecturer and guest lecturers this module enables students to analyse and critically reflect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of sustainable agriculture and organic farming. The discussions further enhance students' communication skills and intercultural competence.
Students are further introduced to scientific journal-based literature research, performing an Annotated Bibliography either on a topic relating to the course contents or within the "Project Organic Agriculture and Food Systems" (POAFS), thus complementing their individual or group work on the POAFS. This enhances students' academic reading and writing skills.

Comments:

Exam: Written (30% annotated bibliography on topics relating to course contents / Organic Agriculture and Food Systems Project; 70% written exam).

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