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Anna Ball
and
Katie Duitsman
Throughout this course, you will delve into the intricate details of the food production system through a system-thinking lens. You will examine the grand challenges faced by the food, fiber, and natural resource industries, and their repercussions on people, the planet, and profit. By the end of this course, you will have a clear understanding of the concept of systems thinking, be able to explain the three key pillars of sustainability and link these pillars to social, environmental, and economic systems.
Read more
Throughout this course, you will delve into the intricate details of the food production system through a system-thinking lens. You will examine the grand challenges faced by the food, fiber, and natural resource industries, and their repercussions on people, the planet, and profit. By the end of this course, you will have a clear understanding of the concept of systems thinking, be able to explain the three key pillars of sustainability and link these pillars to social, environmental, and economic systems.
Read more
Throughout this course, you will delve into the intricate details of the food production system through a system-thinking lens. You will examine the grand challenges faced by the food, fiber, and natural resource industries, and their repercussions on people, the planet, and profit. By the end of this course, you will have a clear understanding of the concept of systems thinking, be able to explain the three key pillars of sustainability and link these pillars to social, environmental, and economic systems.
This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit: https://aces.illinois.edu/online.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/xk8j07/sustainable
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What's inside
Syllabus
MODULE 1 | Food System as a System
In this module, learners will explore the complexities of the food system, examine the ways systems thinking influences our world, and examine some of the grand challenges and emerging issues in the food, economic, environmental, and energy systems.
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Syllabus
MODULE 1 | Food System as a System
In this module, learners will explore the complexities of the food system, examine the ways systems thinking influences our world, and examine some of the grand challenges and emerging issues in the food, economic, environmental, and energy systems.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores the food production system through a systems-thinking lens, which is standard in industry
Taught by Anna Ball and Katie Duitsman, who are recognized for their work in sustainability
Examines the grand challenges faced by the food, fiber, and natural resource industries, which is highly relevant to sustainability
Covers food production systems, food and nutrition, food and the environment, economics of the food system, and energy and technology in the food system, which are core skills for sustainability
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Reviews summary
Holistic introduction to sustainable food systems
According to learners, this course provides a holistic and foundational overview of sustainable food systems, effectively employing a systems-thinking approach. Students praise its clear and accessible lectures and the instructors' ability to demystify complex concepts, including the three pillars of sustainability. It is highly recommended for beginners or those seeking a broad understanding of grand challenges like world hunger. However, some learners with prior knowledge found the content somewhat superficial or lacking in advanced depth, making it less ideal for experts. The solutions module was occasionally described as generic.
Ideal for new learners, but less for advanced or expert levels.
"For someone completely new, it might be a good starting point. However... it's okay, but not for advanced learners."
"It's a great course for beginners or those seeking a general understanding. More advanced learners might find it too basic."
"It serves as a broad introduction, but don't expect to become an expert."
"I wouldn't recommend it for anyone looking for practical, in-depth knowledge."
Lectures are easy to follow and concepts are well-explained.
"The lectures were well-structured and the instructors passionate."
"The content was easy to follow, and the assignments reinforced the learning objectives effectively. The pacing was just right..."
"The instructors were clear, and the readings were relevant."
"The instructors broke down complex ideas effectively, making them accessible."
Provides a strong, accessible introduction for beginners.
"It's a great foundational course, especially for anyone new to sustainable food systems or looking for a holistic overview."
"Excellent overview! As a lifelong learner interested in food security, this course helped me understand the interconnectedness of grand challenges."
"Solid introductory course... It's a great course for beginners or those seeking a general understanding."
"This course was exactly what I needed to grasp the foundational concepts of sustainable food systems."
Excellent framework for understanding food system complexities.
"The systems thinking approach was incredibly insightful, connecting complex ideas about food production, consumption, and sustainability pillars..."
"The content provides a solid systems-thinking framework."
"This course demystifies the complexities of our food supply chain... It genuinely encourages a systems-thinking mindset."
"It really emphasizes the 'system' aspect, which is crucial."
Final module on solutions could offer more actionable strategies.
"The modules felt a bit disjointed at times, and the solutions part felt rushed."
"The 'solutions' module was particularly weak, offering generic advice rather than actionable strategies."
Broad coverage, but lacks academic or specialized depth.
"My only minor critique is that some topics felt a bit high-level, and I would have liked more in-depth exploration or case studies for professionals..."
"However, as someone with a background in environmental studies, I found much of the content to be quite superficial."
"The breadth of topics is good, covering various aspects of food systems. However, the depth is lacking. I felt like many crucial topics were only briefly touched upon..."
"Disappointed with the lack of depth. While it covers many topics, it rushes through them. I found myself needing to do external research constantly..."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Sustainable Food Systems with these
activities:
Retrace your prior learning in Systems Thinking
Show steps
Recall basic fundamentals of Systems Thinking to refresh your mind and strengthen the foundation for the concepts to be covered throughout the course.
Browse courses on
Systems Thinking
Show steps
-
Review the key concepts, principles and methodologies of Systems Thinking
-
Complete practice exercises or case studies to apply Systems Thinking in practice
Develop a mind map of complex food system
Show steps
Synthesize your understanding of the complex interconnections within the food system by creating a visual representation that highlights key components and their relationships.
Show steps
-
Start by identifying the main components of the food system
-
Map out the connections between these components
-
Use different colors or symbols to represent different aspects of the system
-
Analyze the map to identify potential areas for intervention or improvement
Show all two activities
Retrace your prior learning in Systems Thinking
Show steps
Recall basic fundamentals of Systems Thinking to refresh your mind and strengthen the foundation for the concepts to be covered throughout the course.
Browse courses on
Systems Thinking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the key concepts, principles and methodologies of Systems Thinking
- Complete practice exercises or case studies to apply Systems Thinking in practice
Develop a mind map of complex food system
Show steps
Synthesize your understanding of the complex interconnections within the food system by creating a visual representation that highlights key components and their relationships.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Start by identifying the main components of the food system
- Map out the connections between these components
- Use different colors or symbols to represent different aspects of the system
- Analyze the map to identify potential areas for intervention or improvement
Show all two activities
Career center
Learners who complete Sustainable Food Systems will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analysts assess the environmental and social performance of organizations. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of sustainability in creating a more sustainable food system.
Sustainability Director
Sustainability Director
Sustainability Directors are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of sustainability in creating a more sustainable food system.
Agricultural Economist
Agricultural Economist
Agricultural Economists apply economic principles to the agricultural sector. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the economic implications of creating a more sustainable food system.
Dietitian
Dietitian
Dietitians help people make informed choices about food and nutrition. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of nutrition in creating a more sustainable food system.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of engineering in creating a more sustainable food system.
Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Scientists conduct research to understand the impact of environmental factors on human health. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of environmental health in creating a more sustainable food system.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers specialize in the laws and regulations that protect the environment. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of law in creating a more sustainable food system.
Food Scientist
Food Scientist
Food Scientists are responsible for developing and testing new foods and ingredients, as well as improving the safety and quality of existing food products. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of food science in creating a more sustainable food system.
Food Processing Engineer
Food Processing Engineer
Food Processing Engineers design and operate the machinery and equipment used to process food. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of food processing in creating a more sustainable food system.
Food Safety Manager
Food Safety Manager
Food Safety Managers are responsible for developing and implementing food safety programs. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of food safety in creating a more sustainable food system.
Agricultural Policy Analyst
Agricultural Policy Analyst
Agricultural Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies that affect the agricultural sector. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as it can help build a foundation for understanding the role of policy in creating a more sustainable food system.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants are responsible for helping various organizations devise practical strategies and solutions for addressing environmental concerns. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful for those consultants who advise food processors, manufacturers, and retailers.
Sustainability Specialist
Sustainability Specialist
Sustainability Specialists are tasked with overseeing how a company can make decisions that better respect the environment. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as there are many ways that food processing and production can impact the environment.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers must understand the many ways a business interacts with the environment to develop strategies that reduce negative impacts. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as many businesses deal in food production or processing.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists perform tasks that range from data collection to analysis to the eventual creation of reports and documentation. A course in sustainable food systems may be useful, as many environmental science roles deal with food production or processing.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/xk8j07/sustainable
Reading list
We've selected seven books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Sustainable Food Systems.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of food systems, from production to consumption. It covers topics such as the history of food systems, the role of technology in food production, and the challenges facing food systems in the 21st century.
Save
Provides a critical look at the current food system and argues that it is unsustainable. It covers topics such as the environmental impact of food production, the rise of industrial agriculture, and the decline of small-scale farming.
Provides a collection of essays on the ethical issues surrounding food. It covers topics such as the ethics of meat eating, the ethics of food production, and the ethics of food distribution.
Provides a global perspective on the food system. It covers topics such as the role of the global food market, the impact of climate change on food production, and the challenges of food security in developing countries.
Provides a sociological perspective on food. It covers topics such as the role of food in social interactions, the social construction of food, and the cultural significance of food.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental impact of food. It covers topics such as the greenhouse gas emissions from food production, the water footprint of food, and the land use impacts of food production.
Provides a practical and case study approach to food safety. It covers topics such as the different types of food hazards, the methods of food preservation, and the management of food safety.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/xk8j07/sustainable
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Effort
8 weeks, 1-2 hours per week, 9 quizzes
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Instructors
Anna Ball
Katie Duitsman
Language
English
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