Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MA Food Studies
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Food Studies | Programme code | PTA1HPSHPS72 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This course will prepare you to understand, critically assess, and practically engage with foodways and food systems. Core modules will provide interdisciplinary perspectives on foodways and food systems from within fields of study including archaeology, classics, history, anthropology, sociology, geography, political economy, business, and the life sciences. The historical development of agriculture and food—from the agricultural revolution, to the industrialization of agriculture and food manufacturing, to the globalization of food—will be examined. You will gain an appreciation of the place of agriculture and food in the constitution of social identities and institutions, from the family, to social classes and ethnic groups, to the nation. You will also analyse the workings of mainstream and alternative food systems and food chains, from production and processing, to trade and retail, to preparation and service, to consumption and waste. And you will study the challenges and proposed solutions to making foodways and food systems more sustainable. The course will give foundation to comparative understanding of foodways and food systems in industrialized and non-industrialized societies, and the relation of each of these to global forces.
Programme pathways will allow you to specialise in either Food, Society and Culture, or Food Systems and Sustainability. Optional modules will allow you to develop focused expertise in areas such as sustainable food production, health and nutrition, community development, education, or food business and management. You may also prepare for further research by taking optional modules in theory and methods in a range of disciplines. A placement or internship in a food-focused institution, organisation or business and will afford the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and to develop networks, while the dissertation will provide the chance to acquire expertise in a particular area of study and to develop research and writing skills.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
With food at the centre of so many pressing global issues today, the field of Food Studies is rapidly developing. This programme allows you to combine study in the Humanities and Social Sciences with study in fields such as the life sciences or business, giving you a unique combination of skills in the critical analysis of foodways and food systems as well as in more practical undertakings, such as growing or preserving food, developing an educational curriculum, or setting up a social enterprise. An optional module (SSIM908) on the course allows you to do an internship or placement in an area of professional interest while simultaneously informing yourself about the relevant context of your work through directed readings with a member of staff teaching on the course. Through such forms of study, the programme engages in substantial ways with vibrant food, farming and fishing sectors in Exeter and the Southwest of England. The programme equips you to conduct research on foodways and food systems—whether past or present, whether in the UK or elsewhere in the world. It fosters comparative understanding of the economic, environmental, political and cultural dynamics of food systems and foodways, as well as critical perspectives that will allow you to identify issues and problems faced by different stakeholders and the potential consequences of various forms of intervention and transformation. Graduates are prepared to articulate these perspectives in various forms, from the writing of reports or scholarly pieces to the production of grant proposals or business plans. Depending upon your interests and career objectives, you may go on to conduct doctoral research, or to find employment in: the food industry or small and medium sized food businesses; government departments and agencies engaging with agriculture, fisheries, food manufacture, food safety, public health, or culture and heritage; food-focused print, broadcast and new media; or third sector organizations focused on issues such as environmental sustainability, trade policy, food safety, public health, food poverty, or social isolation.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site:
http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/current/postgraduatemodules/
You may take Option Modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College web site:
http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/current/postgraduatemodules/
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits from another MA programme offered at the University (subject to availability and, where appropriate, the required prerequisites).
A choice of pathway affects the options you are expected to take: consult section 7 below. The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree programme based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new emergent areas of study, timetabling and student demand.
Stage 1
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
You may choose either the 15 credit or the 30 credit version of each module, you cannot choose both
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSIM909 | Dissertation in Food Studies | 60 | Yes |
| ANTM004 | Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective or | 15 | Yes |
| HISM041 | Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective | 30 | Yes |
| ANTM021 | Food, Body and Society or | 15 | Yes |
| SOCM022 | Food, Body and Society | 30 | Yes |
| POLM016 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption or | 15 | Yes |
| SOCM021 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption | 30 | Yes |
| SOCM044 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment or | 15 | Yes |
| SOCM045 | Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment | 30 | Yes |
Optional Modules
Programme Pathways
Our flexible programme enables you to choose either a specific pathway or a selection of modules, which might be at a much later date than date of entry to the MA Food Studies. All students graduate with a Masters in Food Studies, but if you elect to specialise, you will have one of the following pathways named in your degree title:
Food, Society and Culture (MA)
This pathway allows you to focus study on the social, cultural and historical dimensions of food and foodways. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food, Body and Society. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food, Society and Culture.
|
ANTM004 |
Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
HISM041 |
Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
ANTM021 |
Food, Body and Society |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM022 |
Food, Body and Society |
30 |
Food Systems and Sustainability (MSc)
This pathway allows you to focus study on food systems, alternative food networks and sustainability. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food System, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food Systems and Sustainability.
|
POLM016 |
Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM021 |
Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
SOCM044 |
Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM045 |
Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment |
30 |
You may also choose from the following list to satisfy the 60 credit optional module requirement.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Food Studies Option Modules 2023-4 | |||
| ANTM003 | Theory and Methods of Food Preservation | 15 | No |
| ANTM006 | Gardening, Wellbeing and Community | 15 | No |
| SSIM908 | Directed Practical Study: Agriculture and Food | 30 | No |
| ARCM120 | Themes in Archaeological Theory and Practice | 15 | No |
| ARCM130 | Discovering the Past with Molecular Science | 15 | No |
| ARCM403 | Advanced Zooarchaeology | 15 | No |
| ARCM407 | Zooarchaeology | 15 | No |
| BEMM487 | Entrepreneurship: Venture Launch | 30 | No |
| BEMM374 | Tourism and Marketing | 15 | No |
| BIOM568 | Blue Planet | 15 | No |
| BIOM4040 | Fisheries Management | 15 | No |
| CTHM007 | Research Skills in Classics, Ancient History and Theology | 30 | No |
| GEOM143 | Global Systems Thinking | 15 | No |
| GEOM145 | Theory for Sustainable Transitions | 15 | No |
| GEOM407 | Perspectives on Sustainable Development | 15 | No |
| HISM016 | Advanced Historical Research Skills | 30 | No |
| HPDM027 | Contemporary Environment and Human Health | 15 | No |
| HPDM122 | Planetary Health | 15 | No |
| HUMM018 | Cultures and Environments of Health | 30 | No |
| HUMM019 | Making, Using and Contesting Evidence | 30 | No |
| SOCM019 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 15 | No |
| SOCM023 | Social Theory | 15 | No |
Stage 2
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Critically analyse a wide range of historical and contemporary foodways and food systems | Reading and discussion-based seminars, lectures | 1 Reading response papers (1-3) 2 Essays (1-3) 3 Dissertation (1-3) |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
4. Critically evaluate information and arguments relating to foodways and food systems, and discern underlying social political and economic dynamics | Reading, discussion-based seminars, lectures | 4 Reading response papers (4-6) 5 Essays (4-6) 6 Dissertation (4-6) |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
7. Identify timely food-related issues and formulate questions for research | Reading, discussion-based seminars, lectures, placement | 7 Reading response papers (7-9) 8 Essays (7-9) 9 Dissertation (7-9) |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Award Rules
Our flexible programme enables you to choose either a specific pathway or a selection of modules, which might be at a much later date than date of entry to the MA Food Studies. All students graduate with a Masters in Food Studies, but if you elect to specialise, you will have one of the following pathways named in your degree title:
Food, Society and Culture (MA)
This pathway allows you to focus study on the social, cultural and historical dimensions of food and foodways. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit versions of Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food, Body and Society. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food, Society and Culture.
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
ANTM004 |
Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
HISM041 |
Food and Agriculture in Historical Perspective |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
ANTM021 |
Food, Body and Society |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM022 |
Food, Body and Society |
30 |
* You may choose either the 15 credit or the 30 credit version of each module, you cannot choose both
Food Systems and Sustainability (MSc)
This pathway allows you to focus study on food systems, alternative food networks and sustainability. Modules fulfilling compulsory requirements must include: either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food System, Alternative Food Networks and Ethical Consumption; and either the 15 or 30 credit version of Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment. Your dissertation will also focus on a theme in the area of Food Systems and Sustainability.
|
Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
POLM016 |
Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM021 |
Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
SOCM044 |
Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment |
15 |
|
|
or |
|
|
SOCM045 |
Food and Sustainability: Economy, Society and Environment |
30 |
* You may choose either the 15 credit or the 30 credit version of each module, you cannot choose both
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MA Food Studies
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | Date of last revision |
|---|
