Transforming Food Systems

FaculteitFaculty of Geosciences

NiveauBachelor

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.

The course combines social (γ) and natural (β) sciences, with an emphasis on the former. This is also reflected in the course aims: after completing the course, the student:

Is able to map food systems from the perspective of actors, their interests and roles, and how they interact (γ), and what this implies for food system sustainability (γ, β).
Has insight into the different instruments and resources these actors have at their disposal to promote more sustainable and healthy food systems (by influencing or steering other actors) (γ).
Is able to critically evaluate instruments for, and claims about, more sustainable and healthy food systems in terms of their contributions to sustainability and health (γ, β).
Is able to apply different theoretical approaches to analysing and explaining stability and change in food systems, including contestations round food system transformation (γ).

Content

General description of the content

This course will focus on the dynamics in food systems globally from a governance and transition studies perspective. We will identify the different actors involved, their roles and interests, and their relationships and interactions. Next, we will focus on processes of transformations towards more sustainable and healthy food systems (at different levels), by (a) identifying and evaluating what food system actors do and can do to foster more sustainable and healthy food production and consumption; (b) analysing tensions and conflicts between actors regarding food system transformation; and (c) analysing more structural conditions that keep food systems in a lock-in situation but also those that can bring about change. We will also evaluate the consequences of these dynamics in food systems in terms of sustainability and health.

The course combines the following learning activities:

Lectures on food system governance and transformation.
Interaction with food system actor representatives during guest lectures.
Tutorials in which literature is discussed, draft versions of assignments are presented and discussed, and in which debates are held.
Group work and self study (reading and individual assignment).

Reviews0 reviews

Nog geen reviews voor dit vak. Wees de eerste!

Heb jij dit vak gevolgd?

Deel je ervaring met toekomstige studenten. Inloggen met je Universiteit Utrecht mailadres duurt één minuut.

Schrijf een review