Food Studies
The Food Studies Certificate prepares students to live and work in a world where food is central to human health and well-being, cultural identity, public policy, and ecological sustainability. The interdisciplinary field of food studies has emerged to provide richer and more complex understandings of the role of food in our society. Food is a powerful theme given that much of our lives are structured in and around obtaining, preparing and sharing food with family, friends and community. It also serves as an ideal focal point to demonstrate the deep connections and intersections between local and global forces, economic and social inequalities, race and gender, climate change and environmental sustainability, personal and public health, violent conflicts, and technology.
Our UM-Dearborn faculty, students and community partners are well poised to contribute to and engage with these issues because many of our students and their communities experience food insecurity and food-related health problems. This certificate will benefit students who plan to do graduate work or careers that will focus on the environmental, political, or health related problems of food production, distribution, or consumption. Students and community members from all disciplines and fields are welcome.
Students who complete the Certificate in Food Studies should expect to achieve the following:
1. Gain familiarity with the major concepts of Food Studies as an emerging multi-disciplinary area of study
2. Develop the skills to critically evaluate the ability of food systems to achieve goals of food security, health and wellness, environmental sustainability, and equity.
3. Integrate theory and practice from across the disciplines to address complex problems in food systems.
4. Ability to apply theory to practice through research, creative production, and/or community engagement/advocacy.
The Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Food, Culture and Society Certificate can complement your major, or it can be taken on its own as a stand-alone post-baccalaureate credential.
Certificate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | 12-13 | |
| Minimum of 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Anthropology of Food | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Nutrition and Metabolism | ||
| Obesity and the Lifecourse | ||
| Critical Food Studies | ||
| Food Politics and Policy | ||
| Option 2 | 12-13 | |
| Core Course | 4 | |
| Critical Food Studies | ||
| Minimum of 4 credit hours from the following food-dominant courses: | 4-6 | |
| Anthropology of Food | ||
| Nutrition and Health | ||
| Nutrition and Metabolism | ||
| Obesity and the Lifecourse | ||
| Food Politics and Policy | ||
| Maximum of 4 credit hours from the following food-holistic courses: | 3-4 | |
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Anthropology Capstone: Contemporary Issues in Anthropology | ||
| Health Behavior Theory | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Poverty and Inequality | ||
| Total credits: | 12-13 | |
Notes
1. No more than one course may be taken pass/fail.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to earn the certificate.
3. A maximum of 3 transfer credits allowed by Petition to count towards Certificate Option 2 food-holistic courses category.