Program Overview

Program Overview

The MSc Programme in Agriculture offers a comprehensive course, NIFK16004U Organic and Regional Food Systems, which explores alternative food systems with a focus on organic and origin labelled food production.

Course Description

This course comprises three core elements:

1. Lectures and theoretical exercises introduce the organic and origin food sector as alternative food systems, focusing on development theory, ecological economics, and food systems.
2. Two excursions to organic/origin food enterprises provide a real-life context for discussing theoretical aspects.
3. A problem-oriented group project investigates a specific theoretical aspect of alternative food systems.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:

• Show overview of important concepts related to alternative food systems
• Give an account of the development and present structure of the organic and origin food systems
• Identify key actors, institutional environment, and structures of importance for the organic and origin labelled food system
• Apply ecological economics and food systems theory as conceptual frameworks for analyzing global production, distribution, and consumption of food
• Demonstrate an understanding of the defining aspects and principles of organic and origin labelled food production
• Explain key issues related to the analysis of food systems
• Reflect on organic and origin food production systems and their economic and social roles in national, regional, and international contexts
• Apply the analytical framework and concepts studied on alternative food system related problems

Literature

The most important written course materials will be articles from international social science journals in the fields of development studies, ecological economics, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.

Recommended Academic Qualifications

Basic knowledge of either agriculture, food production, or food science is required.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course includes lectures, exercises, workshops, excursions, and a problem-based group project.

Workload

The workload is distributed as follows:

• Lectures: 31 hours
• Preparation: 50 hours
• Project work: 100 hours
• Theory exercises: 6 hours
• Excursions: 8 hours
• Guidance: 10 hours
• Total: 206 hours

Exam

The exam is an oral examination, 20 minutes long, with a 7-point grading scale. The examinee may bring notes and the report. Formative feedback will be provided after the exam in the form of written comments to each group report.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: NIFK16004U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 3
• Schedule: A
• Course capacity: 30
• Continuing and further education: Available
• Study board: Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
• Contracting department: Department of Food and Resource Economics
• Course responsibles: fzn859, Jesper Lassen

Additional Information

The course is part of the MSc Programme in Agriculture, and students are expected to have basic knowledge of either agriculture, food production, or food science. The course explores alternative food systems, focusing on organic and origin labelled food production, and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, principles, and issues related to these systems.