This course explores public health implications of food systems, production, security, hunger, economics, and policies. Course materials review dietary, environmental, and ecological influences on public health. Narrated audio recordings with accompanying presentation slides are available. Reading and course assignments are accessible with embedded supplemental resources and external site hyperlinks.
Type of Material:
Online open education resource course, learning object repository, reference material
Recommended Uses:
In-class, homework, individual assignment, team assignment, lecture.
Technical Requirements:
Browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF files), Audio player (lectures), Flash player (videos).
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The student will be able to define the concepts of food security; describe how food systems impact health and inequality; describe how diet, food production, the environment, equity, population, and resources are interrelated and influence the social world; describe factors that have helped shape the current food system and its influence on health and wellness; identify opportunities and challenges of making dietary changes, creating sustainable agriculture, fighting hunger and food insecurity, and reducing the environmental and public health impact of food production and consumption.
Basic computer operations, introduction to social research and demography, introduction to U.S. and global stratification and inequality.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The course is very organized and it's easy to find relevant information. There are links to interesting readings and websites for further study.
Concerns:
Because the course has already been taught, students can not participate with others on LiveTalks and Discussion Board assignments. The mp3s and slides do not seem to point to discussion questions. The course is not interactive for independent or self-study.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The course is well-designed and provides a lot of interesting information about food production and health. Students may complete at their own pace. Data maps and tables are an effective tool to introduce or reinforce social trends, status, and inequality. There are multiple required and supplemental resources with active links to external sites.
Concerns:
Students must have basic knowledge of public health terminology and skills on reading and interpreting data maps and tables to ensure progression and efficiency of learning. Data and information from the site will require additional research or course materials to reinforce sociological concepts and theoretical perspectives to meet learning objectives and outcomes.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The information is easy to use and had interesting graphs and visuals. Data maps and tables provide valid and reliable statistical measures on food security and public health. Audio files provide good description and overview of material on presentation slides. Learners may download presentation slides.
Concerns:
It would have been nice if the mp3s and slides were integrated. Currently, students are asked to start to mp3 lectures and work through the slides themselves. Materials are not cataloged or searchable by key words or concepts. There is no glossary or list of terminology for reference or study.
Other Issues and Comments:
Effective open education resource for social science courses.
Creative Commons:
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