Empires, Power and the Modern World: Food as History
UndergraduateLTU-HIS1EPM2025
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Empires, Power and the Modern World: Food as History
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate historical understanding of food production and consumption, with reference to processes of imperialism and industrialisation, and applying the concepts of gender, class, race, power and modernity as appropriate.
- Develop inquiry/research skills, including the ability to effectively access and interpret a wide variety of primary and secondary materials, both electronic and paper-based.
- Practice critical-thinking, creative problem-solving and cultural literacy skills through analysing historical evidence, scholarship and changing representations of the past.
- Develop effective literacy and communication skills through the practice of oral and written communication.
- Show how history and historians shape the present and can contribute to envisaging new futures by reflecting on social, environmental and economic change and challenges in relation to food sustainability for future generations.
- Colonial Food Production and Consumption
- Famine and Food Sovereignty
- Agrarian and Industrial Revolutions
- Food in Wartime
- Eating Out
- Supermarkets
- Globalisation, Fair Trade, and Sustainable Food
The food you eat is not just a matter of taste. It is the product of histories of imperialism, global trade and commerce, and industrial and scientific revolutions; it tells a story of cultural change and exchange. In this subject, we study global histories of food from the age of empires to the modern world. We will trace commodity chains for products such as chocolate and tea from agricultural production, through industrial manufacture, to retail, marketing and consumption. Along the way we will explore topics including slavery, Indigenous and ethnic food encounters, kitchens and modernity, adulterated food, and wartime food supplies. Through investigating political, legal, economic and cultural histories of food in global and local contexts, you will discover and debate key concepts including gender, class, race and power. You will bring historical understanding to the urgent question of food sustainability.
This is a Level 1 subject. This subject includes live sessions in the form of either in-person or Zoom tutorials with the expectation of student attendance and participation.
- Primary source analysis and bibliography (equivalent to 600 words). (15%)
- Research assignment (equivalent to 1800 words) (45%)
- An individual project on the theme of sustainable food (equivalent to 1600 words) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed HUS1FFT (Food for Thought: Discovering the World through Commodities) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
UndergraduateLAT-CRM-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DIP
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.