Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - REM 357 D100

Planning for Sustainable Food Systems (3)

Class Number: 5404

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides students with the tools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current food system and will encourage them to critically analyze diverse solutions from both the global South and global North to build a more sustainable food system. Students will work collaboratively with the instructor to examine diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to food sustainability and strengthen their problem-solving skills. Students who have taken REM 363-3 "Special Topics" in Spring 2019 and Fall 2019 may not enroll in this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

We eat three times a day yet most of us are unaware of where our food comes from, how our food is grown, and who grows them. When we do eat or purchase food, the environmental, social, and economic impacts are  often hard to grasp. This course will provide students with the tools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current food system and will encourage them to critically analyze diverse solutions. Students will work collaboratively with the instructor to examine diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to food sustainability and strengthen their problem-solving skills. Issues such as Indigenous food sovereignty, food waste, food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, food system planning, food justice, and spiritual/cultural traditions around food will be explored and analyzed. We will explore key theories and frameworks to “break siloes” and apply systems thinking to achieve an equitable, resilient, and sustainable food system.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After completing REM 357, students will be able to:

  • develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape the global food system.
  • critically examine policies and solutions with a view to better address food-related problems from a systemic lens.
  • identify and analyze key concepts and seminal debates in the field of food studies generally and food system planning particularly

Grading

  • Lectures and Tutorials 10%
  • Written Assignments and Quiz 90%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Laptop/computer access.

REQUIRED READING:

Required readings will consist of online (electronic) readings all of which will be uploaded and available on canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.