LAS1092 - Food Security and Systems: A Focus for the Maltese Island

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

4 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Evening

While the issue of food related security gained attention during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not the first time that Malta came razor close to low food supplies. In fact, events like the entrance of the SS Ohio convoy during World War II are still imprinted in local memories.

Food security, while strongly linked with the supply and demand of food within a community, it also refers to the quality of the nourishment provided, in that it needs to be sufficient, safe and nutritious to meet dietary requirements. Therefore, it includes nutrition adequacy, affordability and availability, food safety, ecosystem stability, sociocultural well-being, resilience and waste and loss-reduction.

Using the Maltese scenario, this study unit assesses food security from an island state perspective and seeks to address questions like

what lessons have we learned in a post-covid scenario? What are the changes caused by climate change? What factors have led to a decrease in agricultural output? What new agricultural technologies can be implemented to increase the efficiency in production? What are the nutritional aspects in the Maltese diet that contribute to food insecurity? How can traditional methods, like fermentation assist in reducing insecurity?

The unit will therefore encompass the economic but also the ecological, nutritional and social dimensions of food security. Ultimately, students will be provided with a full comprehensive view of the factors that make a country food secure or otherwise.

Method of Assessment

Assessment Component/s

Weighting

Case Study (Take Home)

100%

Main Reading List

FAO, I., The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021, FAO. Rome, Italy. Retrieved from on 14 May 2023. CID: 20.500.12592/p0dx35.
LANG, T., & BARLING, D. (2012). Food security and food sustainability: reformulating the debate. The Geographical Journal, 178(4), 313鈥�326.
Mc Carthy, U., Uysal, I., Badia-Melis, R., Mercier, S., O'Donnell, C., & Ktenioudaki, A. (2018). Global food security鈥揑ssues, challenges, and technological solutions. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 77, 11-20.

Supplementary Reading List

Clapp, J. Food. (2012) Cambridge. Polity Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-7456-4935-1.
Hirvonen, K., Bai, Y., Headey, D., & Masters, W. A. (2020). Affordability of the EAT鈥揕ancet reference diet: a global analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 8(1), e59-e66.

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This micro-credential is offered as part of the programme for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and will only be offered subject to a minimum number of applications received. More information can be found on the PLAS website.

Information for International applicants

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Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Explain the multi-dimensional aspects of food security and how they feature in Maltese food systems and other island communities;
Describe how issues like climate change and other environmental factors bear a direct relationship with food security;
Describe healthy, sustainable food systems and the link with food security;
Critically discuss a selection of different indicators that are used to measure food security, also within sustainable food systems;
Analyse the impact of lacunae in the different food security dimensions on human wellbeing;
Describe the role that food wastage has in food security;
Analyse localized solutions to increase security.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Critically review media articles focused on healthy food systems and food security;
Investigate the economic, social, cultural and environmental developments that impact food security;
Develop solutions to case studies involving different aspects of food security.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR180

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.

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