Module SOCM021 for 2017/8
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
SOCM021: Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption
This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.
Module Aims
You will read works on food systems within a range of disciplines, including political economy, development studies, geography, sociology, and anthropology. Through engagement with the literature, you will develop perspectives on food systems at various scales, not only analyzing how existing systems work but also how alternatives to these might be created. The module will prepare you for your own research in the field of study, whether academic or within the context of public institutions, industries, or third sector organisations with an interest in food and its role in economic development, social justice, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Critically analyze the histories of food systems of various types and scales 2. Identify and critically assess the roles of a range of actors and component parts of food systems of various types and scales |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Discern the political and economic drivers of food systems of various types and scales 4. Recognize and articulate critical perspectives on the social and environmental consequences of food systems of various types and scales |
Personal and Key Skills | 5. Critically analyze sources pertaining to the operation of existing food systems and proposed alternatives 6. Present relevant information in support of coherent critical appraisal of existing food systems and proposed alternatives |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Weekly reading response papers | 10 x 250 word weekly reading response papers, prepared before seminar and used to guide participation | 1-6 | Oral feedback in seminar, as well as during office hours upon request |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Portfolio of weekly reading response papers | 25 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Weekly papers, revised in light of discussion and submitted at end of term; aggregate mark and written feedback on papers and contributions to seminar given at end of term |
Essay | 25 | 2500 word essay on a relevant topic of students choice approved by convener | 1-6 | Mark with written feedback |
Extended essay | 50 | 4000 word essay on a relevant topic of students choice approved by convener | 1-6 | Mark with written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Portfolio of weekly reading response papers | Portfolio of weekly reading response papers (2,500 words) | 1-6 | 1 September deadline for resubmission |
Essay | Essay (2500 words) | 1-6 | 1 September deadline for resubmission |
Extended essay | Extended essay (4000 words) | 1-6 | 1 September deadline for resubmission |