Summer School - Global Challenges to Food Security, 22 July-9 August 2019, UK

Global Challenges to Food Security

Programme Description

This course is designed for students and practitioners interested in gaining knowledge on food, nutrition and health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The course will cover three key areas:

• Global food-, nutrition- and health-related challenges facing low- and middle-income countries;
• Responses to hunger, malnutrition and poor health;
• Key aspects of changing food systems and the politics of food;

The course will offer theoretical aspects combined with case studies and methods to start approaching complex aspects of food systems, malnutrition, and heath in LMICs. It is aimed at providing knowledge on fundamental debates in these areas of study and policy making and, crucially, at stimulating critical thinking on these issues. The contents draw on a range of disciplinary perspectives, such as political economy, nutritional science, and anthropology. The course does not require students to have prior qualifications in economics. 

The summer school includes lectures followed by tutorials, interactive activities and talks from experts and practitioners in the field. Theory and policy issues introduced during the lectures are brought into real-world context through multiple stories from the field sessions. For instance, students will learn about the competition between food and cash crops in Uzbekistan, food aid and governance in Sudan and environmental implications of China's nutrition transition through the eyes of researchers and practitioners working in the field. Further, students will get opportunities to discuss key policy questions with policy practitioners from think tanks, national and international organisation such as IFPRI, Oxford Policy Management and others.

This summer school is organised by the Food, Nutrition and Health in Development Research Cluster.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Understand critical food- nutrition- and health-related challenges facing low- and middle-income countries.
• Be aware of some of the major patterns of change that food systems are undergoing and identify ways in which said changes shape global challenges.
• Critically engage with policy options to tackle malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries.

Convenor Information

Sophie van Huellen is a lecturer in Economics at SOAS University of London where she teaches undergraduate and post graduate modules. Her research interests include food prices and issues around food security, commodity dependency and food sovereignty. In particular she works on the financialisation of food commodity markets, speculative influences on grain prices, supply chain studies and the financial side of food industries. In the past, Sophie has worked for various international and national institutions, such as UNCTAD, the African Development Bank and the German Federal Ministry of Finance.

Credits

Students are usually able to obtain credits from their home institution and typically our courses receive 3 credits in the US system and 7.5 ECTS in the European system. If you intend to claim credits from your home institution, please check the requirements with them before you enrol. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, however please be aware that the decision to award credits rests with your home institution.

Assessment will be optional and will vary for each course. Participants will be provided with a certificate of attendance and a Record of Study will be available on request.

Programme structure:

Week 1: Global Challenges

• Health, Economic Growth and Development
• Multiple Burdens of Malnutrition and Disease
• Indicators and Measurements of Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

Week 2: Globalised Food Systems and Implications for Nutrition and Health

• Drivers of Global Food Systems and Their Impact of Dietary Transition
• Food Prices, Food Crises and Implications for Nutrition
• Food Production and Climate Change
• Food Regimes and Food Sovereignty

Week 3: Responses to Hunger, Malnutrition and Poor Health

• Can Famines Be Avoided? Economic and Political Causes of Famine
• The Role of Public Investment for Nutrition-Sensitive Growth
• Food Technology and Nutrition. A Solution?

Assessment: is optional and will be in the form individual class presentations and group work (20%) and a 2000-2500 word essay (80%) to be handed in 2 weeks after the end of the course.

Teaching & Learning

Contact hours:

46 hours (lectures, tutorials, activities). The course will be delivered Monday - Friday over the 3 weeks.

Core hours: 

Monday - Friday 10am-3pm. In addition to regular lectures and tutorials, each course is composed of a range of activities relating to their academic content (e.g. museum visit, company visit etc).

Tuition Fees

£1,600

Application fee

A one-off, non-refundable application fee of £40 will be charged to cover administration costs. Please visit the SOAS online store to make your application fee payment.

Discounts

10% discount if you apply by 31 March 2019
20% discount for our partner institutions

Accommodation

Accommodation is available to Summer School students at the SOAS halls of residence, Dinwiddy House. For more details of how to book a room please visit the Dinwiddy House accommodation page.

Scholarships

We have a wide range of scholarships and awards to support students on our degree programmes. There is a competitive application process for these scholarships and awards – based on academic merit. And their focus can range from supporting students from specific countries or a group of countries, to particular degrees or areas of research. We also offer a number of bursaries based on financial need at undergraduate level.

Entry Requirements

In order to join our Summer School, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:

• A university student or a graduate at the time of attending the summer school, and 18+ years of age. 
  Professional experience can be acknowledged as equivalent to a university qualification.
• A minimum English language requirement if English is not your first language:
  • IELTS, 6.5 overall or higher, with at least 6 in all sub scores.
  • TOEFL Paper based test we require a minimum of 583 with minimum 53 in all skills and for TOEFL Internet Based Test we require a minimum of 93 with minimum 20 in all skills. 
  • Pearson Test of English a score of 59-64
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Grade B
  • If you have studied in an English speaking institution, or have courses taught at your university in English (excluding English language courses) you may meet our requirements without having to supply a certificate. Evidence of this will either need to be included on a transcript or letter from your university.
  • Applicants with an alternative qualification should contact us for advice.
  • Applicants whose English language level do not meet out requirements may be interested in our subject based courses with English language support.

Enrolment of Summer School applicants who don’t meet the entry requirements is at the discretion of SOAS – please get in touch to speak to us in detail about your application

Application Procedure

Once you have paid the £40 application fee and submitted the online application form, you will be informed as to whether you have a place on the summer school within 5 working days. Please do not pay your tuition fee prior to having received your offer letter.

Application Deadline

31 May 2019

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.