Food Studies Minor (HBA)

Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities

students cooking

Program Overview

Food Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding where our food comes from and how it shapes our bodies and identities. The program focuses on five basic themes: food systems, cultures, industries, health, and the environment while drawing from a number of disciplinary methodologies. Courses will span all of human history, from our foraging ancestors to the contemporary industrial food system, and around the world, examining diverse cultural traditions of farming, cooking, and eating. The study of food provides both theoretical understanding and practical knowledge for professional careers in health care, business, government service, non-governmental organizations, and educational and community programs.

 

Complementary Programs:

HistoryGlobal Asia StudiesGeographyAnthropologyEnvironmental ScienceBiology



Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

Competencies & Skills

  • Understand how food shapes personal and collective identities of race, class, gender, and nation
  • Recognize patterns and interpret historical events
  • Conduct community based research, gathering cultural data through observation and interviews
  • Research, analyze, and develop understanding from various scholarly literature

Careers for Graduates

  • Volunteer Coordinator, Community Agencies
  • Program Coordinator, Community Agencies
  • Community Outreach Coordinator, Food Centres
  • Food writer/Blogger/Journalist
  • Media Community Advocate, Non-profit/Food Councils
  • Policy Advisor
  • Research Analyst

Further Education

  • Integrated Studies in Land & Food Systems
  • Food & Agribusiness Management
  • International Development
  • History
  • Public Policy/Public Administration
  • Law School
  • Food & Media
  • Social Service Worker
  • Marketing

Program Pathway

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
  • Schedule an appointment with your Program Librarian for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.                                                    
  • Get writing and academic English support at the CTL Writing Centre.

Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
  • Get involved with the Historical and Cultural Studies Student Association (HCSSA); also explore other relevant student clubs and activities on campus.
  • Attend a What’s Cooking session or Intercultural Food Discussion to engage in the politics of food and the relationship between food, identity, culture and community.

Plan for Your Future Career

Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
  • 0.5 credit as follows: FSTB01H3.
  • Use Degree Explorer and meet with your Program Advisor to ensure you are on track with your degree

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
  • Get involved in relevant opportunities; apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).

  • Read the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies newsletter to find out about volunteer and work opportunities.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
  • Check CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment) to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.
  • Attend events hosted by the Culinaria Research Centre.
  • Attend events and volunteer with Edible Campus.

Plan for Your Future Career
  • Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
  • Connect with professors and advisors early so you are on track with your post-graduation plans.
  • Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.


Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
  • An additional 3.0 credits including at least 1.5 credits at the C- or D-level from FST courses or courses listed in the Food Studies Courses Table on the UTSC Calendar website.
  • Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
  • Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, student groupsDSL and the AA&CC.
  • Seek out research and volunteer opportunities with faculty.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career

Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
  • Apply for an Academic Travel Fund through Department of Student Life (DSL) to research, present at a conference, or engage with the international academic community.

Apply Theory to Practice
  • Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for summer and full-time positions relevant to your field.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
  • Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.

Plan for Your Future Career
  • Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
  • Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.
  • Discuss your grad school plans with your professors and AA&CC staff and get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Glossary

  • AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
  • CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
  • CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
  • CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
  • DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
  • HCSSA - Historial and Cultural Studies Student Association (https://hcssa.weebly.com)
  • ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
  • SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)


Contacts


Departmental Contact

Urooj Khan

E-mail: u.khan@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-287-7184

https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hcs/


Food Studies Librarian

Whitney Kemble

E-mail: whitney.kemble@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-287-7499

https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/librarians


Academic Advising & Career Centre

Location: Room AC213
Phone: 416-287-7561

https://utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/


Department of Student Life

Location: Room SL157
Phone: 416-208-4760

https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/


Historical and Cultural Studies Student Association (HCSSA)

https://hcssa.weebly.com/

Did You Know?

students cooking

Our Food Studies program is the first of its kind in Canada that features a teaching kitchen and a campus farm.