Food Studies Minor (HBA)
Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities
Program Overview
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:
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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
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Explore different kinds of courses; this will also help with fulfilling breadth requirements and electives.
- Use and the to plan your courses and program of interest.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Schedule an appointment with your for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.
- Get writing and academic English support at the .
Apply Theory to Practice
- Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties.
- Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities on the (CLNx).
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Get involved with the (HCSSA); also explore other relevant student clubs and activities on campus.
- Attend a What鈥檚 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
- Volunteer with organizations to explore your interests; check listings on .
- Attend the in September and register with SCSU鈥檚 to explore opportunities.
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 0.5 credit as follows: .
- Use and meet with your Program Advisor to ensure you are on track with your degree
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Further develop your general academic skills by attending workshops offered by the Academic Advising & Career Centre (AA&CC) and Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL)
Apply Theory to Practice
- Get involved in relevant opportunities; apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on (>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 (>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 (>Jobs & Recruitment).
- Connect with professors and advisors early so you are on track with your post-graduation plans.
- Explore careers through the AA&CC鈥檚 and 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 on the UTSC Calendar website.
- Use to ensure you are on track with your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Consider competing for the or .
Apply Theory to Practice
- Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, , DSL and the.
- Seek out research and volunteer opportunities with faculty.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Run for an elected position in the (HCSSA).
- Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through International Student Centre鈥檚 (ISC) Global Learning programs.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Plan a career path with a staff member at the .
- Check for networking events and employer information sessions to attend.
- Attend the in September.
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 0.5 credit at the D-level in courses taught in the Culinaria Kitchen Lab (See on the UTSC Calender website).
- Ensure you have fulfilled your breadth requirements.
- Use to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Register your 鈥淚ntent to Graduate鈥 on by the deadline.
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 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 job search conference in April/May.
- Attend a orientation for a job search 鈥渃rash course鈥 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 .
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 (/ctl)
- DSL - Department of Student Life (/studentlife)
- HCSSA - Historial and Cultural Studies Student Association (https://hcssa.weebly.com)
- ISC - International Student Centre (/utscinternational)
- SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
Contacts
Departmental Contact
Urooj Khan
E-mail: u.khan@utoronto.caPhone: 416-287-7184
Food Studies Librarian
Whitney Kemble
E-mail: whitney.kemble@utoronto.caPhone: 416-287-7499
Academic Advising & Career Centre
Phone: 416-287-7561
Department of Student Life
Phone: 416-208-4760
Historical and Cultural Studies Student Association (HCSSA)
Did You Know?
Our Food Studies program is the first of its kind in Canada that features a teaching kitchen and a campus farm.