The politics of eating and producing food
Food is a critical issue in today’s global and European politics. The regulation of agriculture, food distribution, public health, environment and sustainable development are some of the issues covered by ESPOL’s master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable Development. This unique training programme in France, combining theory and practice, allows students to gain a better understanding of the issues related to the politics of food and farming, and acquire the skills necessary to access key professional positions in public and private organisations.
Food and agriculture are fields in which major global challenges arise. In 2050, the world’s population is projected to rise to 10 billion people; and they all need to eat. The various ecological and social problems of the modern food system represent additional challenges. Questions related to the organisation and regulation of our agri-food system are complex and include the production, distribution, accessibility, and consumption of food, as well as issues related to poverty, public health, animal welfare, science and technology, and trade. How would a sustainable food system look like, and how can it be achieved?
The master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable Development examines the ways in which public authorities (regional bodies, nation states, European institutions, UN agencies) and private actors (individuals, farming communities and organisations, transnational businesses, researchers, NGOs, etc.) shape and transform the agri-food system. While the production of food is initiated at local level, its distribution and consumption often have global implications. Understanding, analysing and acting upon these implications is key to sustainably steer, govern and transform our food system in the future.
Because these questions require to cross political and technical knowledge, the master’s degree in Food Politics and Sustainable development is organised in close collaboration with practitioners. It includes a partnership with ISA Lille, the renowned agronomy institute of Lille Catholic University; numerous interventions from agri-food professionals; and field trips to regional farms, food-related policy events, key food fairs such as the Paris International Agricultural Show, and food markets such as the Rungis Market, the biggest wholesale food market in the world.
Agriculture and Rural Politics | 24h | 6 ECTS |
European Food & Agricultural Policy | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Food History & Cultures | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Workshop: Academic Writing | 12h | 3 ECTS |
Introduction to Political Science* | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Comparative Politics | 18h | 4 ECTS |
International Relations | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Diplomacy in practice (EN) | 12h | 3 ECTS |
Diplomatie en pratique (FR) | 12h | 3 ECTS |
The EU from a think-tank’s perspective | 12h | 3 ECTS |
French (FLE) or English ** | 16h | 2 ECTS |
Optional extra language course (non-compulsory) | 16h | / |
Global Food Politics | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Political Economy of Natural Resources | 24h | 6 ECTS |
International Environmental and Climate Politics | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Introduction to Research & Epistemology | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Global Justice | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Approches socio-économiques de l’agriculture | 18h | 4 ECTS |
International Migration | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Studytrip Rome | 30h | 2 ECTS |
Career talks | 4h | / |
French (FLE) or English ** | 16h | 2 ECTS |
Optional extra language course (non-compulsory) | 16h | / |
Food and Sustainable Development: A Project Course | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Environmental Political Theory | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Political Science Research Methods | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Work-in-progress document | / | 2 ECTS |
Statistics and the Political Sociology of Quantification | 18h | 4 ECTS |
Security, Climate change and environmental politics | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Public International Law. Concepts, Principles, Actors | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Democracy and society | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Research Design | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Professionalization workshops | 4h | / |
One-day field trip | 8h | / |
French (FLE) or English ** | 16h | 2 ECTS |
Optional extra language course (non-compulsory) | 16h | / |
Food Controversies | 24h | 6 ECTS |
Master’s dissertation | / | 14 ECTS |
Internship | / | 8 ECTS |
French (FLE) or English ** | 16h | 2 ECTS |
Optional extra language course (non-compulsory) | 16h | / |
* Compulsory option for students without a background in political sciences
** French (FLE) compulsory for non-francophone students. English compulsory for francophone students. In case the student is a native FR/EN (to be checked by Clarife), replace with other language of choice.
The course schedules are not contractual and are subject to change at any time by the teaching staff.