Society, Food Habits and Consumption
UndergraduateLTU-DTN3022020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Unwrap the rich relationship people have with food and what influences food use, choice and preferences. Learn how the role of food has transformed in society. Understand why people are impacted by trends, and need to know where their food comes from.
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Society, Food Habits and Consumption
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Evaluate the history and future of food, both from a worldwide and Australian perspective.
- evaluate basic food consumption patterns in Australia against trends in other countries;
- Critically analyse the impact of sociological factors on food choices for individuals, groups, communities and populations.
- Evaluate how changes to food habits and trends in food and diet affect food intake.
- Analyse the influences of food labelling regulations and food policy, food technology, ecology and agriculture on Australian and worldwide food systems.
- Communicate critical analyses of the impact of sociological factors on food choices to lay audiences
- History and future of food
- Sociological factors affecting food choice
- Food security
- Food consumption
- Food production and technology
- Food regulations and marketing
Please note: this subject was previously known as Food and Societies.
In this subject you will be given the opportunity to develop an informed and critical understanding of the personal, social, cultural, environmental, economic and political factors influencing food, food use and food habits for individuals, communities and populations. Cuisines from other cultures and the effects of multiculturalism on Australian culinary culture will be explored through readings, media, discussion and assessed written assignments. You will be given the opportunity to develop an understanding of how the role of food has changed from ancient times to present day and be introduced to monitoring and surveillance data used to understand factors influencing patterns and trends in food consumption worldwide. Food labelling and how food policy, food technologies, ecology and agriculture influence the food system will be introduced. This subject addresses La Trobe's Global Citizenship Essential which entails a deep appreciation of how we live in an interconnected world, being able to recognize the global context of concepts, act across cultures and boundaries, and work with diverse communities - now and in the future.
Two infographics (1500 words total equivalent) - 2 infographics to be completed individually. 1st infographic worth 10%; 2nd infographic worth 25%.
One 1600 word individual assessment task - Individual report.
One 1000 word individual written report- Submission will be in the style of a magazine article. Students to complete supplied template.- Two infographics (1500 words total equivalent) - translating information into an infographic form (35%)
- One 1600 word individual assessment task - influences on culinary culture in Australia (40%)
- One 1000 word individual written report on changes in food habits in your family. (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- LAT-HUN-DEG-2020 - Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
This subject is offered via Open Universities Australia. La Trobe University students can undertake this subject as part of a cross institutional enrolment under certain circumstances, and must seek approval from the Bachelor of Food and Nutrition course coordinator for eligibility. Due to the nature of the subject content and online delivery, enrolments are generally not permitted past the published OUA enrolment date for the study period.
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.
Student feedback
11 student respondents between 19 Aug 2024 - 14 Mar 2025.
90%of students felt the study load was manageable
100%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
UndergraduateLAT-HUN-DEG