What will I learn on this module?
In this module you will learn about the challenges facing the ever-changing food and nutrition sector. You will be introduced to the current legislative and advisory bodies that generate food and health policies in the U.K., Europe and internationally and will have the opportunity to review and appraise current policies, including consideration of their impact on relevant stakeholders.
Given the nature of this module, the syllabus will change and evolve and will be influenced by the issues pertinent at any given time. That said, there will be themes which are ongoing challenges relevant across food systems including obesity, food production, food scares, environmental impacts and consumer behaviour. This module will also enable you to evaluate the role of the media in educating and informing the population in realtion to food and nutrition.
How will I learn on this module?
Lectures and seminars will be used to discuss relevant policies and processes with the students. The ways in which policies are formulated and their impact on populations will be developed by the in-class review of current case studies allowing for debate of these wider implications.
There is an emphasis on independent learning and students will be required to read and evaluate current primary literature to support their evaluation of specific food policies.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported in this module by the module tutor who will provide a lecture series designed to develop your knowledge and raise questions regarding changing policy and contemporary issues. Your learning will also be supported by the student-led discussions and debates in small group seminars and there will be group tutorial to dicuss the development of your assessment ideas. Directed independent study tasks will allow you to engage more widely with the subject matter.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Appraise a current health, food or nutritional policy of relevance to a given country on a given issue
2. Critically evaluate the scientific basis of a contemporary issue of interest relating to contentious issues in the current food arena.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Analyse and criticise appropriate published material from scientific and popular media sources
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. Translate complex scientific issues for a lay audience.
How will I be assessed?
All learning outcomes will be summatively assessment by coursework in which you will evaluate a contemporary issue of relevance to the food and nutrion sector. As part of this task you will be required to write a lay audience summary of your findings, a common requirement in scientific writing. Students will be advised of a word length up to a maximum of 3000 words. This will assess all learning opuitcomes.
Progress will be discussed with tutors and peers in seminar sessions allowing for formative feedback. Formative assessment will require students to informally present their draft assessment when you will either get written or verbal feedback.
Individual written feedback will be provided on all summative assessment plus verbal feedback during seminars
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This module gives students the opportunity to examine a current issues relating to the food system and consumer behaviour. The student will be encouraged to critically analyse policies and their associated issues in relation to consumers, industry and Government. Lectures and seminars will introduce national and international policy makers and case studies will be used to illustrate the process of policy formulation and the impact that policies have in a wider context. The assessment will allow students to individually assess an issue and consider the wider implications of these ever-evolving challenges
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
Department Applied Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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