91184 - Food and Society

Learning outcomes

Evolution of food consumption patterns and consumer behavior; role played by the qualitative and health aspects in the context of food choices.

Course contents

Introduction

• Geopolitics of diets
• Methodology and sources for research in the agro-food sector
  
• Analyzing households' eating habits: a first sight to methods and critical issues

First module: policies and governance of the agro-food system

•  The Common Agricultural Policy: rationale, phases and evolution
• Agri-food policies in Europe: Who decides? Governance and functioning of the trilogue
• The European Union and the world: the WTO and international agreements
• Local and urban food policies: case studies
• Critical consumption: SCMOs and Alternative Food Networks
• Food deserts and social justice in the food sector

Second Module: competition for natural resources and impact of the agro-food system

•  Competition for natural resources: what resources are we talking about? The role of consumption and diets
• Climate-changing emissions related to diets
• Land and Water Grabbing

Readings/Bibliography

During the course the teacher will upload specific didactic material online (on the IOL portal), to be integrated to the notes taken during the lessons.

For further bibliographical references, the following reference texts are recommended:

Suggested books
Segrè A., Policies for agricultural development and food security, Carocci editore, Rome, 2008.
Lang T. and Heasman M. Food Wars, Earthscan, London, 2004.
Alkon A. and Agyeman J. Cultivating Food Justice. Race, Class and Sustainability, MIT press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2011.

Scientific articles
During the course articles, reports and supplementary texts will be illustrated and proposed.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars.

Assessment methods

Discussion of about half an hour on the program contents and the bibliographic references illustrated during classes. Languages ITA/ ENG /SPA, according to the student's preference. 

Teaching tools

All the lessons are carried out with the support of PPT presentation.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Giordano