Course syllabus

Livsmedelskedjans förutsättningar
Food System Structures

YTHA10, 7,5 credits, G1 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2019/20
Decided by: PLED LIV
Date of Decision: 2019-03-25

General Information

Compulsory for: YL1
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The aim of this course is to give the student an overview of the food chain, from the primary production to the table, how the food chain is organised and how the trade of food products is done, and to create an understanding of the global food supply.

Furtermore the course aims to identify the different professions that participate in the food chain and what type of competence that is needed for these professions.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

The course describes the complete food chain from primary production, through food industry, wholesalers, food retailers, caterers and restaurants to consumers.

Statistics from different parts of the food chain will be evaluated (number of employees, level of education, turnover, import/export, energy consumption, effect on environment, life cycle analysis). The role of authorities, legislation branch organisations, unions and NGOs on conditions and limitations for the food that is available for consumers will be discussed.

One section of the course will discuss the global food supply today, the number of hungry peple - what causes this, how this has developed, and forecasts to 2050, given a growing population. The course will also describe the historical development in wich both successful and unsuccessful examples will be mentioned. Other issues are the international regulations, including norms and standars that affect consumers and producers. The CAP will be highlighted, such as the global food crisis, climate change and food labeling.

The course will be conducted as projects and examined by oral and written presentations. Each student will participate in two projects and will make two individual lecture analysis. The students will have to do their own information research but will be supported by the lectures and the seminars. The students will train on how to do literature research, written reports, oral presentations and in debate techniques.

Examination details

Grading scale: UG - (U,G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment: Two projects presented both orally and in writing, as well as two individual lecture analysis.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Parts
Code: 0115. Name: Individual Assignment: Compulsory Guest Lectures.
Credits: 1,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: two assignments, all guest lectures
Code: 0215. Name: Project Exercise in Team: Food Chain.
Credits: 3. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: written report
Code: 0315. Name: Project Exercise in Team: Global Food Supply.
Credits: 3. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: written report

Admission

The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: YTHA70

Reading list

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Charlott Håkansson, charlott.hakansson@food.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.food.lth.se
Further information: Attendance during field trips and guest lectures is mandatory. In the event students cannot attend (for a valid reason) an extra assignment with equivalent content may be substituted.