Module Identifier RS25320  
Module Title FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Graham P Harris  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr John M Warren, Mr Hefin Williams  
Course delivery Lecture   2 x 2 hour lectures per week  
  Other   Debate, arranged by module co-ordinator during semester.  
  Practical   3 x 4 hour visits  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Assignment Outcomes assessed: 2, 3, 4  50%
Semester Exam2 Hours Written examination Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  50%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Written examination Outcomes assessed: All  100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Explain the ecological process that occur within food production.
2. Discuss the pressures on the food supply industry.
3. Identify the environmental impacts due to agricultural intensification.
4. Appraise the impacts of food policy and globalisation of food markets.
5. Discuss the concept of sustainability in food production.

Brief description

The module describes the scientific knowledge required to understand the applied ecological aspects that constitutes agricultural production systems. This module will provide the student with an awareness of the impact of agriculture and food supply systems on the environment. The module is designed to highlight issues in the human food chain including the globalisation of food markets, the homogenisation of production systems, sustainability, environmental impacts of agricultural and aquacultural intensification, agricultural policy development, public concerns with food production and health, animal welfare , and future consumer and population demands on the food production industry.

Aims

The aims of this module are to:
   
a. Explain the ecological processes occurring in agricultural systems.
b. Describe the UK food supply industry and key issues of public concern in the food chain.
c. Identify the environmental impacts due to agricultural intensification.
d. Develop an appreciation of food policy and globalisation issues.
e. Develop an understanding of sustainability in food production.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
   The assignment will develop the student'r ability to work independently, integrating scientific, social, political and economic knowledge to critically evaluate how a specific issue in the human food chain has been reported in a range of media sources (assessed in coursework).

.2 IT and information handling
   Extensive use of internet sources will be needed to compile information for the assignment (assessed as part of coursework).

.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
   Analysis of relevant literature will require the students to understand and interpret numerical information, particularly with regard to production , marketing and risk assessment data.

.4 Writing in an academic context
   The assignment will require the production of a report on a specific issue in the human food chain and how it has been reported in a range of media sources, developing the students? skill in academic writing and the justification of critical analysis and conclusions .

.6 Careers need awareness
   The outcomes of the module are designed to provide the skills and awareness of principles and knowledge required by practitioners in the wider rural environment to address and discuss issues of concern in the public and scientific domain , with regard to the human food chain.

.7 Self-management
   The outcomes of the module are designed to provide the skills and awareness of principles and knowledge required by practitioners in the wider rural environment to address and discuss issues of concern in the public and scientific domain, with regard to the human food chain.

.8 Group activity
   The formal debate will develop the students ability to analyse and discuss information in an interactive group forum .

Module Skills

Research skills Writing in an academic context  
Communication Read in different contexts and for different purposes Write for different purposes and audiences.  
Information Technology Use a spreadsheet package to record and manipulate different sets of data. Find information on the Internet Access information via an online library system.  
Application of Number Obtain and interpret mathematical and statistical information Tackle problems involving numbers.  

Reading Lists

Books
** General Text
Carson, R (1962) Sustainable development in a dynamic world: Transforming Institutions, Growth and Quality of Life Penguin 0140022686
Collins, W W and Qualset, C O (1999) Biodiversity in agroecosystems CRC Press 1566702909
Conway GR & Pretty JN (1991) Unwelcome Harvest: agriculture and pollution Earthscan 8353830364
Dodds, F (editor) (2000) Earth Summit 2002: a New Deal Earthscan 1853837121
Gliessman, S R (2000) Field and laboratory investigations in agroecology Lewis Publishers 1566704456
Jackson, L E (1997) Ecology in agriculture Academic Press 0123782600
Meffe, G K et al (2003) Ecoagriculture: Strategies for feeding the world and saving wild biodiversity Island Press 1559636459
Open University (2000) A globalising world? Culture, economics, politics Routledge 0041522294
Pimbert, M (1999) Sustaining the multiple functions of agricultural diversity. Gatekeeper Series No 88 International Institute for Environment and Development 0013579258
Rolling N G and Wagemakers M A E (1998) Facilitating sustainable agriculture Cambridge University Press 0521581745
Tansey, G and D'Silva (1999) The meat business: devouring a hungry planet Earthscan 0185383036

Technical Reports
FAO (2001) The state of food and agriculture Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
World Bank (1999) Sustainable development in a dynamic world: Transforming Institutions, Growth and Quality of Life The World Bank 0821351508

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5