Food, Health and Environment unit (CXA322)

Online

Introduction

This unit investigates the components of a healthy and sustainable food system (production to consumption) from a multidisciplinary perspective, focusing on the domains of health, environment, economy and society. Students will critically analyse the concept of the ‘Sustainable Diet’ and the changes needed to ensure that our food system is ecologically sustainable, healthy, and affordable. Students will be exposed to the views of the food industry, food producers and public health experts on food sustainability and will reflect on the implication their own food choices and their impact on the environment. This unit combines case-study and experience-based learning and exposes students to current and emerging trends and issues, equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills to improve our food system. The driving forces behind this unit is our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, the challenge of an increasing world population combined with increasing food insecurity, the rise of nutrition-related chronic diseases and the bi-directional relationship environmental change and the changes needed to ensure that the food system is ecologically sustainable, healthy, and affordable.

Summary

Unit name	Food, Health and Environment
Unit code	CXA322
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Health Sciences
Discipline	Health Sciences
Coordinator	Miss Jay Webb
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/02/2027	16/03/2027	19/04/2027	13/06/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the components of different food systems and their relevance for provision of healthy and sustainable diets at the regional, national and global levels.
• Develop a reflective stance in relation to your own food choices and its impact on the environment
• Distinguish the diverse influences affecting consumers’ ability or desire to consume a Sustainable Diet through the 4 domains of health, environment, economy and society.
• Evaluate opportunities to transform the health and sustainability of the Australian food system.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
069901	$1,235.00	$1,235.00	not applicable

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

CXA209 - Nutrition Through the Lifecycle OR KGA207 Systems Thinking

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Independent learning (1 hr x weekly), Online Tutorial (2hrs x weekly)
Assessment	Grant Application & Presentation (30%)|Sustainable Food Challenge (30%)|Advocacy Discussion Paper (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.  The primary text that you do have access to inform this unit is: Lawrence M, Friel S, 2020. Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems. Routledge. E-Reading

Recommended

Textbooks available as E-Readings in reserve section of library TEXTBOOKS Lang T, Heasman M. 2015. 2nd Edition. Food Wars. EarthScan from Routledge.  https://www.routledge.com/Food-Wars-The-Global-Battle-for-Mouths-Minds-and-Markets-2nd-Edition/Lang-Heasman/p/book/9781138802629#  - E-Reading   Lawrence M, Friel S, 2020 Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems from Routledge https://www.routledge.com/Healthy-and-Sustainable-Food-Systems/Lawrence-Friel/p/book/9780815393276?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=search&utm_campaign=B044448_ca2_10p_4ss_t050_1al_ever-green-pmax-aucampaign&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwP6sBhDAARIsAPfK_wYU8siMPbZlGaUuubYcaIBr3iWtIyKuv13Pg4OrpYoH8QgwFwogKf0aAuidEALw_wcB  E-Reading  Mason P, Lang T. 2017. 1st Edition. Sustainable Diets - How Ecological Nutrition Can Transform Consumption and the Food System, https://www.routledge.com/Sustainable-Diets-How-Ecological-Nutrition-Can-Transform-Consumption-and/Mason-Lang/p/book/9780415744720  - E-Reading

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