Module Identifier
RS25320
Module Title
FOOD, FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Graham P Harris
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
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 Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Assignment  Outcomes assessed: 2, 3, 4  50%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Written examination  Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  50%
Supplementary Exam 2 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

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Obtain and interpret mathematical and statistical information Tackle problems involving numbers.
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.
Research skills Writing in an academic context

Reading List

General Text
Carson, R (1962) Sustainable development in a dynamic world: Transforming Institutions, Growth and Quality of Life Penguin Primo search Collins, W W and Qualset, C O (1999) Biodiversity in agroecosystems CRC Press Primo search Conway GR & Pretty JN (1991) Unwelcome Harvest: agriculture and pollution Earthscan Primo search Dodds, F (editor) (2000) Earth Summit 2002: a New Deal Earthscan Primo search Gliessman, S R (2000) Field and laboratory investigations in agroecology Lewis Publishers Primo search Jackson, L E (1997) Ecology in agriculture Academic Press Primo search Meffe, G K et al (2003) Ecoagriculture: Strategies for feeding the world and saving wild biodiversity Island Press Primo search Open University (2000) A globalising world? Culture, economics, politics Routledge Primo search Pimbert, M (1999) Sustaining the multiple functions of agricultural diversity. Gatekeeper Series No 88 International Institute for Environment and Development Primo search Rolling N G and Wagemakers M A E (1998) Facilitating sustainable agriculture Cambridge University Press Primo search Tansey, G and D'Silva (1999) The meat business: devouring a hungry planet Earthscan Primo search FAO (2001) The state of food and agriculture Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Primo search World Bank (1999) Sustainable development in a dynamic world: Transforming Institutions, Growth and Quality of Life The World Bank Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5