Patricia Allen Featured in Best of Gastronomica
An article by Dr. Patricia Allen, food systems & society department chair, was selected for inclusion in a "best of" retrospective issue of the esteemed journal Gastronomica.
Degree Requirements
Please note: The following are proposed degree requirements and are subject to change. Degree requirements will be published in the 2013-14 Marylhurst University catalog.
MS in Food Systems & Society
Minimum of 48 quarter credits
Foundation Courses (12 crs.)
Food Systems and SocietyProvides an introduction to the history and context of food systems. Focusing on race,
class and gender, it will review the role of discourse, ideology, and epistemology
in our understanding and shaping of the food system. We will also discuss alternative
food institutions and ethical consumerism. (3 crs.)
Food, Policy, and CultureDiscusses the role of policy and culture in determining who eats, what we eat, and
who benefits and loses in the current food system. Includes policies at the global,
national, state, and municipal levels as well as policies within households and private
firms. (3 crs.)
Food Systems InquiryProvides a methodological foundation for inquiry relevant to student projects. Includes
qualitative and quantitative research methods. (3 crs.)
Project Development SeminarStudents will integrate theory, literature, experiences, and interests to develop
their research question. In this writing-intensive course students will identify a
problem statement, conduct a preliminary literature review, and develop a research
proposal for their research project. (3 crs.)
Program Intensive Courses (12 crs.)
There are four required on-campus intensives that take place in the fall and spring terms of each year. Lasting three to five days each, the intensives are designed to build a collegial and convivial learning and research community during the program and beyond. Intensives will include lectures, discussions, field trips, and collaborative activities focused on food systems and social change. Students will reflect on their experiences and program coursework to increase our shared understanding of how to improve the food system.
The fall 2013 intensive is scheduled for October 3 - 6, 2013.
The spring 2014 intensive is scheduled for June 12 - 15, 2014.
This intensive will establish a learning community and introduce students to the Food
Systems and Society program. Students will discuss pre-term assigned readings, collaborate
on small-group projects, and visit one or more Portland-based food projects. In addition,
students will learn how to utilize the online systems and processes integral to the
program. (3 crs.)
First Spring IntensiveStudents will reflect on their understanding of food systems and social change and
elaborate their research projects. We will synthesize and discuss what we have learned
since the fall and establish research and reflection processes for the summer. Students
will discuss their projects and work in groups with faculty and other students. (3
crs.)
Year Two Fall IntensiveThis intensive serves as the foundation for the year-two food issues seminars/research
practicums. Students will reconnect with each other in the service of building a scholar-activist
community. They will give preliminary reports on their research projects. (3 crs.)
Year Two Spring IntensiveStudents will present the outcome of their student research project to each other,
incoming students and the community. Includes a celebration completion of the M.S.
in Food Systems and Society program. (3 crs.)
Seminar/Practicums (12 crs.)
Students will discuss contemporary issues in food systems as they relate to theory and practice in the context of their research project in three seminar/practicum courses.
Each student will develop and produce a publication- or presentation-quality body of work to complete the degree. Students will engage with a subject or topic meaningful to them and relevant to social change in the food system. Topics will be developed in consultation with and approved by a faculty adviser. While the types of final projects will vary, each student will interact with all the elements of the research process including literature review, theory, research methods, analysis and evaluation.
A final paper due at the conclusion of each seminar will complete a third of the research project. Seminar 1 will result in completion of the problem statement and literature review; Seminar II will be the methods and results and Seminar III, the analysis and recommendations.
Electives (12 crs.)
Choose from electives offered by the food systems and society program or with adviser permission, select relevant courses from other Marylhurst departments. Examples include:
Digital Literacy / Digital Activism, Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens, Environmental Law and Food Systems, Food Systems and Environmental Health, Food Supply Chain Management, A Taste of Place: The Culture and Commerce of Oregon Wine, Practical Food Activism, Food Systems and Health.
