AP1EF2-The Food Business

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Daniele Asioli
Email: d.asioli@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Learn about the structure of the food chain from a business perspective. Gain insights into the nature and diversity of food businesses from farm to fork in both the United Kingdom, and internationally. Explore the main trends and drivers influencing food businesses. Debate key food policy and trade issues as well as their implications for food businesses. Discuss the emerging challenges and opportunities in the food chain, and their effects on food businesses. Learn through lectures, interactive sessions, and suggested readings, together with presentations by speakers from different areas of the food chain, including food industry, food retailers, food services, policy makers, and lecturers from other countries, as well as visits to local businesses operating within the food chain. Given the fundamental importance of the food businesses to us all, this module should be of interest to a wide range of students, in addition to those following food-related degrees.

Aims:

The module aims to introduce the food chain from a business perspective. It examines the different types of business that make up the food chain and the main trends and drivers influencing these businesses including changes in consumer preferences, technology, policy, and trade. It discusses the emerging challenges and opportunities in the food chain, and their effects on food businesses.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module students should be able to:

• Outline the structure of the food chain businesses in the United Kingdom and internationally (LO1).


• Describe a range of businesses and their roles in different parts of the food chain and the relationships between them (LO2).


• Assess the main drivers of change, and on-going emerging trends relevant to food businesses (LO3).


• Discuss the emerging challenges and opportunities in the food chain, and their effects on food businesses (LO4).

Additional outcomes:

None

Outline content:

The module will cover the following three parts:

1. Characteristics of businesses within each part of the food chain in the United Kingdom and internationally: agriculture and its ancillary industries, food manufacturing and processing, food distribution and retailing, and food service and catering.


2. Drivers of change impacting on food businesses in the United Kingdom and internationally including changes in consumer food preferences, technological change and innovation, food policy issues linked to the environment, health and other policy challenges, and international trade relations.


3. Key challenges and opportunities facing food businesses with examples from the United Kingdom and internationally.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures together with interactive sessions and presentations by invited speakers from different areas of the food businesses and lecturers from other countries. Students will be expected to do background reading around each of the topics covered by the module. The module also includes visits to local food businesses.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	34
External visits	16
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20
Wider reading (directed)	20
Advance preparation for classes	50
Preparation for presentations	8
Revision and preparation	25
Group study tasks	15
Carry-out research project	10
Reflection	2
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Oral assessment and presentation	40
Class test administered by School	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Group presentation 40%

Class short answer test 60%

Formative assessment methods:

Multiple Choice Test.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

By Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023