BMET 22A35 - Introduction to the political economy of global food systems

The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (FAO, 2021). On the other hand, 1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organisation. This denotes the crisis in global food systems, resulting in a stark divide between people who are stuffed or starved – this course will identify the underlying structural issues beyond supply and demand for this phenomenon. Moreover, it will examine food production, distribution, and consumption issues across geographic scales, spanning the microcosm of the individual body to the national and global scales. We will follow the journey of food from plough to plate and in the process, this course will explore the political, socio-economic, geopolitical and cultural dimensions of food and eating in particular spaces, places, environments, contexts and regions. Empirical methodology will be used with a particular focus on case studies. In conclusion, we will examine the fundamental role played by food systems in shaping our civilization as well as the challenges and possible solutions and policy prescriptions to address those challenges.

Hemal THAKKER

Atelier

English

Autumn 2024-2025

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments 1°) Participation in class discussions. 2°) A collective grade for a 15 minute oral presentation in session 6 depending on the case study assigned. 3°) A 5-page policy brief (Times New Roman 11, 1.5 spacing), addressed to a real individual heading a real agency – NGO, government or corporate anywhere in the world –describing a problem in the food system and the policies you would use to address it systemically. Students are expected to prepare class lectures with assigned readings and participate in class; turn in their policy brief and participate in class discussions.

At the end of the course, the student is expected to: 1°) Understand the complexity of global food systems and make the connections between different issues. 2°) Understand key concepts related to governance and food policies in the global North and South. 3°) Develop a holistic solution-based approach which will be reflected in the policy brief. 4°) Develop oral presentation and public speaking skills, give structure to discourses and argumentation structures. 5°) Cultivate a holistic world view based on the different components of the food system.