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Society, Food Habits and Consumption
UndergraduateLTU-DTN3022024
Course information for 2024 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.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- 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
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the history and future of food, both from a worldwide and Australian perspective.
- Assess basic food consumption patterns in Australia against trends in other countries.
- Analyse the impact of sociological factors on the food choices of individuals, groups, communities and populations.
- Determine the impact to food intake of changes to food habits and trends in food and diet.
- Assess the influences of food policy, food technology, ecology and agriculture on Australian and worldwide food systems.
- Communicate 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
In this subject you will develop an informed understanding of the many factors influencing food, food use and food habits for individuals, communities and populations. These will include personal, social, cultural, environmental, economic and political factors. Through readings and media, discussion and assignments, you will review cuisines from a variety of cultures and the effects of multiculturalism on Australian culinary culture. An understanding of how the role of food has changed from ancient times to present day will be developed, and you will be introduced to monitoring and surveillance data used to understand factors influencing patterns and trends in food consumption worldwide.
- One 1000 word individual written report on changes in food habits in your family. Submission will be in the style of a magazine article.This is an early assessment piece that will occur within the first three weeks of the teaching period. (25%)
- One infographic (1500 word equivalent) - translating information into a graphic form. (35%)
- One 1600 word individual report. Influences on culinary culture in Australia. (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.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
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-2024 - Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
Others
Prerequisites: Students must be admitted in the following course: HBFN
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed DTN2FSO (Food and Societies), or DTN3FSO (Food and Societies), or DTN3001 (Food and Societies) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - A good internet connection is required due to the online delivery.
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
9 student respondents between 19 Feb - 9 Sept 2024.
88%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