Political Economy of Transnational Food Chains

Owner	Bachelor Future Planet Studies
Coordinator	dr. R.J. Pistorius
Part of	Minor Sustainable Food System, year 1Exchange Programme Faculty of Science, specialisation BSc Future Planet Studies / Sustainability, year 1Bachelor Future Planet Studies, major Future Society, year 2

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

This course allows students to generate a better understanding of the world food chains through the lens of political and economic structures supporting contemporary transnational food chains.

Students are introduced to the contemporary organization and regulation of transnational food production, provision and consumption. Key determinants of the shifting organization and coherence of food chains will be discussed, such as dominant narratives about food trade and the concept of competitive advantage. We will also discuss the growing concentration and specialization in food production, the role of international regulation, the impact of new technologies on food production, as well as climate change.

Next, we will study how transnational food production, provision and consumption can be understood in terms of 'global food and/or value chains'. These help us to frame unfamiliar social-political and ecological (climatic) dilemmas and challenges related to the coordination or governance of transnational organization of food production. Think of social- economic and political dilemmas and challenges such as 'supermarketization', the growing power of Transnational Companies (TNCs), the growing physical and psychological alienation between consumers and producers, growing concerns related to human health and food safety. 

In the final part of the course students will investigate case-wise what hinders and what can support sustainability within existing transnational food chains. Cases will focus on local dynamics in food production; alternative (transnational) production and distribution networks; new consumer awareness; alternative regulatory frameworks and sustainable technologies. Guest lectures in week 5, 6 and 7 will be dedicated to these issues. 

Study materials

Literature

• Literature in Canvas. 

• Clapp, J. (2020). Food (3rd edition) [Paperback / Hardcover]. Polity Press. Links to purchase the book: https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/f/food/9200000014543855/ or https://libris.nl/boek?authortitle=jennifer-university-of-waterloo-clapp/food--9781509541775 

Syllabus

• Literature in Syllabus

Objectives

• Students are able to understand and apply basic concepts in the contemporary transnational organization, trade and consumption of food production and provision.
• Students are able to investigate recent political and economic shifts in food production and provision associated with globalization, regionalization, localization and specialization.
• Students are able to analyse new global-local dynamics associated with the increasing consumer demand for and promotion of food produced sustainably.
• Students are able to understand and apply two research methods of (a) Food System Approach (value chains) and (b) concepts of ‘coordination’ to analyze the political economy and governance of food chains and sustainable adjustments to those.
• Students are able to critically analyse and compare scientific literature and media expressions (journals, internet footage, websites) on organization.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Self-study

In lecture 1 we will set out a conceptual framework to help understand the political economy of global food chains. What is 'Political Economy'?, What is a 'Food Chain'?, What is meant by the 'Global Food System'? What is a multinational- and what a transnational company? Jennifer Clapp's key publication 'Food' (2020) will serve as a 'rough guide' to unlock these concepts in a historical perspective. 

In lecture 2 we zoom in on food trade on the basis of Jennifer Clapp's paper "Food security and international trade" in which she juxtaposes to two narratives about trade ("trade as a threat" or "trade as an opportunity"). We will also go a little back in history and explore the origins of these narratives.

In lectures 3 and 4 will offer information on the origin, workings and ideas behind Global food (value) chains. These will help students to map global structures in food trade, provision and consumption and detect possible inroads per chain-element for desired structural change (such as poverty alleviation or sustainable production).   In doing so we will  analyze 'agro-industry' in terms of its economic and political structure: where is the money earned?, by whom?, who decides? 

In lectures 5, 6 and 7 the knowledge generated in the previous 4 lectures can be applied to specific power and North-South related global food chain issues. Treated will be the rise of global supermarket chains and their (growing and rapid) impact on Indian local food supply systems; the (un)ability of small local farmers to link up to global food chains; and the role of remote sensing in monitoring the sustainability of food chains

Group assignments: You will work in small teams of 4-5 per working sub-group (S1-5) which requires a dedicated and well managed division of labor.  There are 4 working groups, each divided into 5 sub-groups. We will work in 3 consecutive working-group sessions where you will get the full support of 2 excellent assistant teachers: Luc de Groot and Guido van der Knaap (and myself as a back-bencher). Consider these meetings as scientific 'staff' meetings - every question is possible provided it contributes to your output, and is well prepared. You are jointly responsible for the GROUP Assignments. The three PREPARATORY Group Assignments are designed to help you organize and deliver the Final GROUP Assignment (A/B)

NB: There will be an open book exam on location (at the World Fashion Centre, Asterdam) covering all materials read in preparation of the weekly lectures and working group sessions, including presentations by the lecturers and tutors.  

Learning activities

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in fieldwork is compulsory and cannot be replaced by assignments or other courses.
• In case of practical sessions, the student is obliged to attend at least of 90% of the sessions and to prepare himself adequately, unless indicated otherwise in the course manual. In case the student attends less than 90%, the practical sessions should be redone entirely.
• In case of tutorials/seminars with assignments, the student is obliged to attend at least 7 out of 8 seminars and to prepare thoroughly for these meetings, unless indicated otherwise in the course manual. If the course has more than 8 seminars, the student can miss up to 1 extra meeting for every (part of) 8 tutorials/seminars. If the students attends less than the mandatory tutorials/seminars, the course cannot be completed.

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance of tutorials is mandatory. You are allowed to miss one tutorial, provided you announce your absence to one of the tutors (de Groot, and van der Knaap) 24 hours beforehand. 

Attending all scheduled education activities is strongly advised. By doing so, you actively contribute to a lively learning community and significantly improve your chances of successfully completing the course. The designated mandatory activities play a crucial role in achieving the course objectives and are essential for your overall progress. By registering for this course, you are complying with the rules regarding attendance and agreeing to actively prepare for and participate the mandatory activities.

The tutorials mainly focus on group assignments. Attendance and active participation in the learning activities during the tutorials are crucial for the group work. 

Furthermore, the tutorials also focus on class discussions and group assignments. The material is not just limited to literature, but also involves articulating and applying the ideas, theories, and concepts from the literature. Therefore, the quality of the tutorials largely depends on the attendance, preparation, and active participation of every student.

 

 

 

 

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
1 (100%) PREPARATORY Assignment 1 - Theme Registration 2022/23 Copy	Must be ≥ pass
1 (100%) PREPARATORY Assignment 2 (GROUP) - Project Plan 2023/24	Must be ≥ pass
1 (100%) PREPARATORY Assignment 3 (GROUP) - Fact Sheet 2023/24	Must be ≥ pass
0.5 (50%) (GROUP) Assignment 1 - A (paper) or B (dissemination product) 2023/24	Must be ≥ 5.5
0.5 (50%) Tentamen	Must be ≥ 5.5

Assessment

The assessment of the course is structured around:

1 Final Group assignments  (A/B) (50%) with 3 Preparatory assignments (pass/fail). Without a pass for all 3 Preparatory assignments the Final Paper  (A or B) can not be executed. 

1 Exam (on location) (50%) on location (at the World Fashion Centre, Adam) covering all materials read in preparation of the weekly lectures and working group sessions, including presentations by the lecturers and tutors.

Working groups

There are three working groups (S1-3) which will be assembled in week 1 of this module. 

Feedback

‘Feed-back’ implies that sub-groups will be invited in timeslots of 20 minutes per slot: during the hours reserved for working groups (‘werkcolleges’). There will be no plenary working group sessions. The sub-group sessions (no grade) are to help you further in completing the assignments: sharing of ideas, discussing intermediate output, discussing sub-group-interaction, asking questions on the focus of the lecture series etc., all are welcome. A good preparation for a working group session is mandatory and may consist of:

(a) a brief summary of the material collected, written, planned – you may send this on beforehand to save time;

(b) a consistent series of questions for the teacher; (c) a planning.

Sending in materials for discussion to the teacher should take place 48 hours on beforehand. Brief e-mail feedback can be obtained (although not as a replacement of the live feed-back session), but should be confined to a ‘reasonable amount’ of mails.

Final grade, resit and suspension

Finished papers resulting from Assignment 1 are to be submitted at 15 December 2022 23:59 HOURS 

Final Grades (paper + exam) are available at January 15 2024: 23:59 latest.

• Without a pass for all 3 Preparatory assignments the Final Paper  (A/B) can not be executed. 

• Grade below 5.5 for the Final Paper (A/B) requires a resit of all the students involved. 
• Grade below 5.5 for the  on location exam require a resit of the individual student. 
• Both final paper and exam require a pass in order to obtain a final grade.  

The suspension period of the Final Paper is 3 weeks (21 days, which is 5 February 2024 23:59, starting from the date of reception of the final grade (15 January 2024). Grading of suspended final papers will be max. 7 days.  Hence, reception of final grade of suspended papers is 13 February 2024. The resit for the finalized paper applies to all members of the sub-group delivering the paper. Suspended joint papers are to be delivered through Canvas only.

The on location exam resit is 9 February 2024. Grading of the exam resit will be max. 21 days, thus March 1 2024. Location of the on location resit exam will be announced. 

In case of failing the resit of final paper and/or take home exam, the course must be re-entered next year. 

 

Assessment diagram

Leerdoel:	Assignment I (A/B)	Exam
#1.	Yes	Yes
#2.	Yes	Yes
#3.	Yes	Yes
#4.	Yes	Yes
#5.	Yes	Yes

Students that were enrolled in the course in previous years

n/a

Inspection of assessed work

PREPARATORY Assignment 1 (Theme registration) is to be a submitted via Canvas by 7 November, 23.59. Communication on Sub-group composition will be on 8 November. 

PREPARATORY Assignment 2 (Project Plan) is to be submitted via Canvas by any group member by 17 November 23:59. Comments will be received in class on the dame day and/or up till one week later. 

PREPARATORY Assignment 3 (Fact sheet) is to be a submitted by any group member via Canvas by 1 December, 23.59. Comments will be received in class on the dame day and/or up till one week later. 

Assignment 1 (Group Assignment A or B) is to be a submitted by any group member via Canvas by 15 December, 23.59.

Exam is to be executed by individual students on location (WFC Hal Oost) on 20 December 13.30 - 16.30.

Final Grades (paper + exam) are available at January 15 2024: 23:59 latest.

• Grade below 5.5 for the Final Paper requires a resit of all the students involved. 
• Grade below 5.5 for the  on location exam require a resit of the individual student. 
• Both final paper and exam require a pass in order to obtain a final grade.  

The suspension period of the Final Paper is 3 weeks (21 days, which is 5 February 2024 23:59, starting from the date of reception of the final grade (15 January 2024). Grading of suspended final papers will be max. 7 days.  Hence, reception of final grade of suspended papers is 13 February 2024. The resit for the finalized paper applies to all members of the sub-group delivering the paper. Suspended joint papers are to be delivered through Canvas only.

The on location exam resit is 9 February 2024. Grading of the exam resit will be max. 21 days, thus March 1 2024. Location of the on location resit exam will be announced. 

In case of failing the resit of final paper and/or take home exam, the course must be re-entered next year. 

E-mail feedback can be obtained as well, but should be confined to a ‘reasonable amount’, to be determined by the assistant teachers.

Assignments

PREPARATORY Assignment 1: Theme Registration

Deadline November 7: 23:59 hours

Grading: pass / fail. NB Not submitting this assignment (or too late) will exclude the group from Group Assignment 1(A/B)

In the next 5 weeks you will study in depth a particular element of the global food chain. Below are a series of crop-specific options from which you may choose. 'Option 20' allows you to make your own choice. A non-crop specific topic choice is also possible (see NB 3).

Options for 2023/:

1. Bio-organic olives 
2. Bio-organic raisins  
3. MSC certified Tuna 
4. Arrow root 
5. Figs
6. Caviar
7. Dates 
8. Ginger
9. Vanilla
10. Walnuts
11. Darjeeling tea
12. Cashew nuts
13. Truffle 
14. Lemons
15. Black pepper
16. Oregano
17. Cane sugar 
18. Beet sugar
19. Himalaya salt
20. A chain of your choice (discuss with your tutor first).

NB1 These are bulk-categories which have been chosen as each of them inhibits ample research on associated food chain analysis. During the project you will have to specify your research focus. This requires you to zoom in on a particular characteristic of the crop of choice. There is a host of specifications possible: e.g. for cocoa produced for chocolate bars there are many cocoa species to choose from, while the geographical range of production of a particular species is relatively broad (from Ivory Coast to Java); type of processing; and some sections of food chains may be more relevant than others (e.g. processing and retail). Finally the time-frame covered by your research may be specific, e.g. production and consumption of chocolate in Western Europe in past 10 years and perhaps near future.

NB 2 We are fairly liberal in our understanding of what the crop specific themes comprise. For instance (a) Kenya’s increased dependence on tight contracts with large supermarket chains in western countries and the implications for mango production in Kenya could also fit; even though these topics are not very close to the subject matter of the lectures; or (b) recent initiatives in developing countries to set up a circular cocoa production system in conjunction with collectors/producers of coffee sludge as compost. 

NB 3 There is an option to embark on a non-crop specific food chain issue. Think of a specific trade(regulation) issue, a new technology which affects food chain patterns and flows; the position of country x in food chains in general, etc. It is mandatory that you discuss your ideas with your tutor first.   

 Registration of theme for group 

• Group composition made available via Canvas by 7 November 23:59 hours

 

How to register and submit Preparatory Assignment 1 

In thisLinks to an external site. form, you can indicate your preferences for one of the 19 + 1 food items. Also, you can indicate fellow students you would like to cooperate with as long as they are in the same working group as you are. You are free to choose any theme you like. Although sub-groups are confined to min/max 5, more than one sub-group can work on a specific theme. Note that your preferences are taken into account, but cannot always be fully met. You can register until November 7, 23.59

You can only sign up once, so make sure you are confident in your food item choice before you actually sign up. Based upon your choice, you will be assigned to a organizing 4-5 member student sub-group, in which you will collaborate on joint assignments, that together will constitute a group portfolio by the end of the course, which will be graded.

In case you cannot link up to a group/theme of your choice, please note you can opt for ‘A chain of your choice’ (option nr. 20) on the condition that you organize your own group of 4-5 students. Your suggestion for this alternative food chain should be communicated with the teachers (Guido van der Knaap and Luc de Groot) on beforehand. Note that you need their consent before you embark on the subject, and they will help you to refine your choice if necessary. 

This assignment and the aim and focus of this course 

The course is designed in such way that you will step-wise and per assignment analyse various political economic aspects of the organization of the food chain of your choice. The themes relate to, but are broader than the lecture series. If you are wondering whether a particular topic or issue you are interested in pursuing is ‘within the theme’, the important thing to remember is that this is a course on the political economy of transnational food chains, so purely domestic or purely interstate issues are outside its remit.

Understandably, many of the topics chosen will relate to today’s most urgent issue, namely the need for a more sustainable agriculture. This course welcomes any contribution in that direction, but I would like to emphasize that the sine qua non of any future sustainable action is a thorough understanding of the social-political mechanisms that support today’s (merely unsustainable) food industry –the focus of the course in the first place.

 

PREPARATORY Assignment 2: Project Plan

Deadline November 17: 23:59 hours

Grading: pass / fail. NB Not submitting this assignment (or too late) will exclude the group from Group Assignment 1(A/B)

Max words: 600

The Project Plan should be a straight-forward document of max. 600 words. It should contain:

• A brief motivated choice of the food item 150 words.
• A brief description of the objectives of your portfolio - the way you plan to handle in the 'Fact Sheet' (Preparatory assignment) and the Final GROUP Assignment A / B, and how you see them connecting to each other (250 words)
• How you plan to communicate and collaborate with each other (150 words). Please think of a division of labour and associated tasks, and how you as a group deal with group members that fail to meet their tasks. To date, an optional sub-group ‘team charter’ (perhaps even signed by all) may help to formalize team roles, mission, basic rules of engagement, conflict resolution, etc. A brief sub-group discussion on the content of the team charter will entice you to think about questions such as: What are my qualities, and what can I offer the team? What are my pitfalls and to what extent should I share these with the team? What are my challenges and what do I need from other team members? What are my success criteria (e.g. I want to score an A). 

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PREPARATORY Assignment 3: Fact Sheet

Deadline: December 1, 23:59 

Submission by a designated group member via Canvas.

Grading: pass / fail. NB Not submitting this assignment (or too late) will exclude the group from Group Assignment 1(A/B)

Max words: 1000

Introduction

A fact sheet, also referred to as 'information sheet' or briefing note (but not a full policy brief) is a short paper that quickly and effectively informs a senior decision-maker about an issue. Fact sheets are typically written for senior-level decision-makers who:

• have to keep track of many, often unrelated, issues;
• may not be familiar with the issues and may not have any related background;
• for whatever reason, cannot spend time doing their own research;
• need a capsule version of the key facts and considerations about an issue.

Fact sheets usually deal with 'subjects of debate', or more commonly 'issues'. A fact sheet are commonly prepared for any topic a senior decision-maker needs to be (quickly and clearly) informed about: a new situation (trade embargo, new product, new policies), an action by another political actor, a new technology with impact on trade (e.g. in the field of transport, crop development, water use, etc.) —in fact, anything that a political actor needs to deal with.

Note:

This fact sheet is a stepping stone for your Final Group Assignment A or B. 

In Canvas you will find links to example Facts Sheets.  NB Fact sheets of previous years are strictly crop/product-related (potato, meat etc.). Please mind that (from this year on) you do not need to confine yourself to a specific crop or product. Thinking broader is welcomed: e.g. climate change and agricultural trade; war and agricultural trade; ...

 

The Assignment

Imagine you are putting together a fact sheet for your boss, on an issue within your chosen food item. You get to decide who your boss is: she could be a Minister, a European Commissioner, a Chief Executive Officer of a multinational corporation, or the Director of an international NGO. You also have to decide why your boss needs this fact sheet. It can be a call for attention for a looming crisis related to one of the food items to which she urgently needs to respond, or a plea for a more sustainable use of the food item of your choice. Before you start writing, be sure you are clear about the points you will cover and how you will structure your information.

The 2-page fact sheet (max 700 words) should start by stating its purpose and addressee, and determine on the basis of Figure 1 (Berkum, S. et al. 2018) p. 10 and further) what areas in the Food System Map are involved, and why they are relevant (ppt drawn from lecture 3). To understand the design and workings of the Food System Map you are requested to read Chapter 4 ‘Mapping the Food System’, In: Berkum, S. van, Dengerink, J. and Ruben, R., (2018). The food systems approach: sustainable solutions for a sufficient supply of healthy food. Wageningen, Wageningen Economic Research, Memorandum 2018-064. pp 10-16. This report is also your read for Lecture 3 on 15 November.

In addition to the actual fact sheet, you should prepare a 1-page (max 300 words) justification, which explains why you think the information you presented is useful to your boss, what choices you made, what sources you used, and how you dealt with the trade-off between brevity and scientific accuracy.

Example of fact sheet issues:

Example 1: Wheat consumers world wide are starting to feel the impact of the Russian-Ukraine war and the associated limited access to Ukraine Black Sea ports. In spite of  UN mediation, prices are still rising sharply although at different rates per country. Your fact sheet comprises of data (with introductions to each set) allowing for a comparative analysis of two countries taking different measures to mitigate price fluctuations. 

Example 2: Farmers Farmers in various EU countries are complaining about the quality of the Dutch onion species. They seem much more vulnerable to black mold than in previous years. The French Ministry has asked the EU to step-up national phytosanitary inspections of all Dutch onions at the French borders in spite of the free internal market regulations. Dutch onion exports (95% of total production) will be affected in various ways... Your fact sheet comprises of data indicating what EU, French, or Dutch regulation is relevant and how this regulation is made 'political' in the Dutch-French union-trade issue.  

 

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GROUP Assignment A or B: 

Deadline: December 2, 23:59 

Submission by a designated group member via Canvas.

Grading: 1-10 

Max words: 5000

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GROUP ASSIGNMENT (A) Joint paper on food chain analysis including policy recommendations 

Word count: 5000 (10% margin) 

Weight: 50% overall grade

Deadline: 15 December 2022, 23.59 hrs.

Submission by a designated group member via Canvas.

Feedback by your tutors

Similar to the preparatory assignments, both the tutor and lecturer aim to guide you in finding a delicate balance between the information presented in the reading list and the lectures. However, it is encouraged that you do not strictly adhere to these sources, as long as such deviations contribute to improving the quality of your work, as outlined in the grading criteria below.

While brief e-mail feedback is available from tutors, we kindly request that you keep these to a reasonable and manageable amount.

Introduction to the Assignment

The Preparatory Fact Sheet Assignment 3, along with the concise feedback provided by your tutors, has likely prompted you to identify unanswered questions regarding your chosen theme. Let's imagine that your boss has recognized the urgency of the food-related issue you raised in the Fact Sheet and is now convinced that a more extensive research effort is necessary. Consequently, she has assigned you and your team the task of creating a brief paper of 5000 words max, culminating in a minimum of three policy recommendations.

To complete this task effectively, you need to:

(a) Strategically determine how to transition from the real-world observations that brought attention to the issue to a well-defined research question that can be addressed using academically rigorous methods.

(b) Ground your research in a specific narrative or concept drawing from the insights presented in lectures 1-7 and associated tutorials. Tie, where possible, that narrative or concept to power relationships between key stakeholders in the associated agricultural Global Value Chain (GVC).

The paper should contain the following sections:

Introduction (200 words max): In this section, provide a comprehensive overview of the background and context of your research paper. While you can refer to the Fact Sheet, also include specific political economic reasons for the necessity of investigating the issue in depth. Elaborate on the significance of this research in terms of its potential political and/or economic impact on relevant stakeholders, such as consumers, industry, or policymakers. Your boss's conviction should be supported by concrete arguments that outline the broader implications of your work.  

Research Questions and Hypotheses (200 words max): Formulate an overarching research question that goes beyond the initial problem identified in the Fact Sheet. The research question should be structured to guide a systematic investigation of the problem in your research methodology. Consider including sub-questions and hypotheses that provide clear direction for your research. NB Ensure that the question addresses not only what is happening but why and how it is happening within the context of the specific food item's production.

Brief Literature Review (1500 words max): This section should encompass an extensive examination of existing literature (minimum 20 sources or data sets, of which at least 25 percent published later than september 2021) related to the phenomenon under study. Justify why they are crucial for your study. For instance, you may explain the need for a Global Chocolate Value Chain analysis to understand the stagnating market share of fair-trade chocolate. Emphasize any gaps or areas where the current understanding falls short. Explain how these gaps lay the foundation for your research and how your work will fill these voids.

Relevance of Main Concepts and Narratives (1000 words max): Indicate which narratives (e.g., 'trade as an opportunity' or 'trade as a threat') and main concepts discussed in lectures 1-7 and associated tutorials are most relevant for addressing your research question (note: the main concepts are always listed on the first slides of the lectures ppts). Explain why these concepts are pertinent to your study and how they will guide your analysis.

Power Relations in the Global Agricultural Value Chain (GVC) (1000 words max): Examine and describe the power dynamics within the Global Agricultural Value Chain (GVC) of your research subject, the specific food item. Analyze how these power relations manifest in the chain and identify key stakeholders who hold the power. Discuss whether these imbalances hinder or potentially aid in solving the problem outlined in your research question. Refer to relevant information from lectures and literature, providing proper citations.

Proposed Changes in the GVC (800 words max): Explore potential modifications within the Global Agricultural Value Chain (GVC) that would be required to address the problem in your research question. If a GVC analysis alone does not suffice, investigate how other concepts treated in lectures 1-7 and associated tutorials can be integrated into your analysis. Justify why this approach is necessary.

Conclusion and Policy Recommendations (300 words max): Conclude the paper with a concise summary of your findings in a maximum of 300 words. Present at least three policy recommendations that your boss can implement in the near future based on the research outcomes.

Paper Length and Formatting: The paper should be 5000 words long with a 10% margin, excluding appendixes and the literature list. Ensure proper formatting, citations, and references according to the specified style guide.

 

• In Canvas you will find links to example Papers of 2022.

Grading rubric

Criteria	Max ratings
Structure	1 pts
Depth	4 pts
Case study	3 pts
Argument	1 pts
Writing	1 pts

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GROUP ASSIGNMENT (B) A joint dissemination product 

Weight: 50% overall grade

Deadline: 15 December 2022, 23.59 hrs.

Submission by a designated group member via Canvas.

Feedback

• Similar to the preparatory assignments, both the tutor and lecturer aim to guide you in finding a delicate balance between the information presented in the reading list and the lectures. However, it is encouraged that you do not strictly adhere to these sources, as long as such deviations contribute to improving the quality of your work, as outlined in the grading criteria below.
• While brief e-mail feedback is available from tutors, we kindly request that you keep these to a reasonable and manageable amount.

Introduction to the assignment:

Assuming that your supervisor now understands the pressing nature of the food-related matter you addressed in Fact Sheet Assignment III and intends to advocate for it, she has entrusted you and your team with the task of creating a compelling dissemination product. This assignment builds upon the Fact Sheet but with a crucial distinction: it should include ample data and sources and convincing arguments to persuade even the most skeptical stakeholders.

A minimum of 25% of the data and sources used for this assignment should have publication dates later than September 2021.

In this assignment, your goal is to communicate a substantial message within your chosen theme, drawing from academic empirical insights and theoretical foundations. The intended audience for your work extends beyond academic circles and includes citizens, policymakers, and other professionals. The product you create can take various forms, such as a policy brief, an NGO campaign plan, a consultancy report for a company, a podcast, or a video clip.

• Incorporate Narratives and Key Concepts: Integrate narratives such as 'trade as an opportunity' or 'trade as a threat' and include a minimum of 2 key concepts drawn from lectures 1-7 and their related tutorials into your dissemination product. (Please note that the primary concepts are consistently listed on the opening slides of the lecture presentations.)
• Power Dynamics Analysis: Within your dissemination product, conduct a thorough examination of the power dynamics within the Global Agricultural Value Chain (GVC) concerning your research subject, which focuses on a specific food item. Investigate how these power relations become evident within the chain and pinpoint the principal stakeholders wielding influence. Delve into a discussion on whether these power imbalances impede or potentially assist in addressing the issue outlined in your research question. Your analysis should draw upon pertinent information derived from both the lectures and relevant literature, with proper citations provided.

Before deciding on your dissemination product, ponder the following questions:

Do you aspire to raise awareness of a critical issue or shape the perspectives and behaviors of a specific audience? Tailor your chosen format and language accordingly. While you may draw inspiration from the Fact Sheet, leverage it only to the extent that it complements your intended message and format. Embrace your creativity, and consider the incorporation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and artistic expression, all while keeping your target audience firmly in mind.

Additionally, be sure to address the following crucial elements:

• Key Message: Clearly define the central message you intend to convey.
• Audience: Identify the potential audience groups for your message and specify your primary focus.
• Conceptual Approach: Establish the conceptual framework guiding your message. Will you adopt a specific narrative, such as 'trade as an opportunity' or 'trade as a threat,' or draw from key concepts covered in Lectures 1-7 and associated tutorials?
• Relevance: Articulate the significance of your message for your audience, and specify any actions they should take based on the information you provide.
• Audience Characteristics: Understand the characteristics of your target audience, including their communication preferences, decision-making influence, and the types of arguments that resonate with them.
• Style and Format: Define the appropriate style, language, layout, length, and visual elements that suit your chosen format.
• Balancing Information: Strive to achieve a harmonious balance between presenting facts and making claims. Clarify what will be explicitly communicated and what will be subtly implied through images or text.
• Personal Perspective: Reflect on your personal viewpoint and acknowledge how it may shape your selection of information. Thoughtfully consider what you will include and what you may choose to exclude in your communication.

By addressing these elements, you'll be well-prepared to craft a compelling dissemination product that effectively conveys your message and resonates with your target audience!

Further suggestions:

• Explore ways to visually represent or present an abstract theme such as the political economy of transnational food chains.
• Keep in mind that the assignment's length should be guided by your judgment and the specific format chosen, but as a rule of thumb, a brief documentary or podcast may be around 10-15 minutes, and a podcast about 20 minutes.
• Document all sources separately in a Word document, including relevant URLs, source persons, and references to grey literature.
• Ensure compliance with copyright rules if you intend to disseminate your product beyond this course.

In Canvas you will find links to example Podcasts of 2020/21.

 

Grading rubric

Criteria	Max ratings
Structure	1 pts
Depth	4 pts
Case study	3 pts
Argument	1 pts
Visual presentation	1 pts

 

 

 

 

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Honours information

n/a

Additional information

All study materials (syllabus/literature) are provided through Canvas except for the book: Clapp. J. (2020), Food. Polity. (which you need to purchase in preparation of the inception of the course).

We vinden het belangrijk dat je je op de UvA en bij Future Planet Studies veilig voelt. Krijg je onverhoopt te maken met ongewenst gedrag of voel je je onveilig, dan kun je terecht bij verschillende personen. Je melding wordt altijd vertrouwelijk behandeld. Kijk op onze website voor meer informatie over waar en bij wie je terecht kunt.

It is important that everyone feels safe at the UvA and Future Planet Studies. We are committed to provide social safety and we offer various forms of support for people experiencing inappropriate or unsafe situations. Consult the UvA website or Future Planet Studies Canvas page for more information and contact info.

Last year's student feedback

n/a

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. R.J. Pistorius

G. van der Knaap (g.vanderknaap3@uva.nl)

J. de Groot (l.degroot@uva.nl)