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Sustainable Food Systems
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 14 hours
  • Course by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Offered by

About

Throughout this course, you will delve into the intricate details of the food production system through a system-thinking lens. You will examine the grand challenges faced by the food, fiber, and natural resource industries, and their repercussions on people, the planet, and profit. By the end of this course, you will have a clear understanding of the concept of systems thinking, be able to explain the three key pillars of sustainability and link these pillars to social, environmental, and economic systems. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit: https://aces.illinois.edu/online.  

Modules

COURSE ORIENTATION | Sustainable Food Systems

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Course Overview
  • Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Anna Ball

2 Readings

  • Syllabus
  • Interviewees in this Course

MODULE 1 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Module 1 Introduction

LESSON 1.1 | Defining the Food System

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Defining the Food System

LESSON 1.2 | Defining Systems Thinking

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Defining Systems Thinking

2 Readings

  • Systems Thinking and Sustainability
  • Sustainability is all about systems-thinking--here's why

LESSON 1.3 | Distinguishing Local from Global Challenges in the Food System

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Distinguishing Local from Global Challenges in the Food System

1 Readings

  • Reframing the local-global food systems debate through a resilience lens

LESSON 1.4 | Exploring Grand Challenges and Emerging Issues in Food, Economic, Environmental, and Energy Systems

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Exploring Grand Challenges and Emerging Issues in Food, Economic, Environmental, and Energy Systems

1 Readings

  • Grand Challenges Overview

MODULE 1 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 1 Quiz | Food System as a System

MODULE 2 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Module 2 Introduction

LESSON 2.1 | Defining Sustainability

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Defining Sustainability

2 Readings

  • Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems
  • Sustainable Food Systems: Concept and Framework

LESSON 2.2 | Identifying the Three Pillars of Sustainability

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Identifying the Three Pillars of Sustainability

LESSON 2.3 | Describing Sustainability: People

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Describing Sustainability: People

LESSON 2.4 | Describing Sustainability: Planet

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Describing Sustainability: Planet

LESSON 2.5 | Describing Sustainability: Profit

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Describing Sustainability: Profit

MODULE 2 | Summary

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Module 2 | Summary

MODULE 2 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 2 Quiz | Sustainability in the Food System

MODULE 3 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Module 3 Introduction

LESSON 3.1 | Defining Food Production Systems

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Defining Food Production Systems

1 Readings

  • More Farmers Adopt Conservation Tillage

LESSON 3.2 | Describing Food Production: Animal Systems

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Describing Food Production: Animal Systems

1 Readings

  • Data and Sustainability in Pork Industry

LESSON 3.3 | Explaining Food Production: Crop Systems

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Explaining Food Production: Crop Systems

LESSON 3.4 | Examining Production to Processing in the Food System

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Examining Production to Processing in the Food System

LESSON 3.5 | Defining the Roles of Consumers and Producers in the Food System

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Defining the Roles of Consumers and Producers in the Food System

MODULE 3 | Wrap-up

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Module 3 | Wrap-up

MODULE 3 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 3 Quiz | Food Production Systems

MODULE 4 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • MODULE 4 | Introduction

LESSON 4.1 | Investigating Issues in World Hunger

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Investigating Issues in World Hunger

2 Readings

  • Perennial Rice: Plant once, harvest again and again
  • Perennial Grains Could be the Future of Regenerative Agriculture

LESSON 4.2 | Examining Access to Nutritious Food

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Examining Access to Nutritious Food

1 Readings

  • USAID and USDA announce the Global Food Security Research Strategy to Fight Hunger and Build Sustainable Systems

LESSON 4.3 | Describing Food Deserts

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Describing Food Deserts

1 Readings

  • EPA: Environmental Justice Screen and Mapping Tool

LESSON 4.4 | Exploring Emotional and Cultural Connections to Food

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Exploring Emotional and Cultural Connections to Food

MODULE 4 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 4 Quiz | Food and Nutrition

MODULE 5 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • MODULE 5 | Introduction

LESSON 5.1 | Exploring Environmental Grand Challenges

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Exploring Environmental Grand Challenges

1 Readings

  • Here's How Much Food Contributes to Climate Change

LESSON 5.2 | Investigating Water and Soil Quality

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Investigating Water and Soil Quality

1 Readings

  • Wastewater to Energy: New Treatment Process Can Improve Biorefinery Sustainability

MODULE 5 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 5 Quiz | Food and the Environment

MODULE 6 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • MODULE 6 | Introduction

LESSON 6.1 | Examining Issues in Land Access and Production Demands

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Examining Issues in Land Access and Production Demands

1 Readings

  • The Dollars and Sense of Sustainability

LESSON 6.2 | Exploring Uses of Non-Productive Land

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Exploring Uses of Non-Productive Land

1 Readings

  • Can sustainability standards effectively mitigate food system challenges?

LESSON 6.3 | Investigating the Consumer-Driven Economy

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Investigating the Consumer-Driven Economy

1 Readings

  • How Consumers And Farmers Can Transform Food Systems

MODULE 6 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 6 Quiz | Economics of the Food System

MODULE 7 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • MODULE 7 | Introduction

LESSON 7.1 | Exploring Grand Challenges in Energy and Technology within the Food System

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Exploring Grand Challenges in Energy and Technology within the Food System

1 Readings

  • What is renewable energy?

LESSON 7.2 | Examining the Roles of Switchgrass and Carbon

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Examining the Roles of Switchgrass and Carbon

LESSON 7.3 | Investigating Issues in Energy and Technology

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Investigating Issues in Energy and Technology

1 Readings

  • What is Sustainable Energy and Why Do We Need It?

MODULE 7 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 7 Quiz | Energy and Technology in the Food System

MODULE 8 | Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • MODULE 8 | Introduction

LESSON 8.1 | Investigating Complexities of Food and Food Decisions

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Investigating Complexities of Food and Food Decisions

LESSON 8.2 | Identifying Complex Issues of the Food System and Sustainability

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Identifying Complex Issues of the Food System and Sustainability

LESSON 8.3 | Examining Food and Sustainability

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Examining Food and Sustainability

MODULE 8 | Quiz

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • MODULE 8 Quiz | Examining Grand Challenges; Moving Toward Solutions

CONCLUSION | Sustainable Food Systems

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Final Assessment | Analysis

1 Videos

  • Course Summary

2 Readings

  • Final Assessment | Part 1
  • Final Assessment | Part 2

Auto Summary

Discover the critical dynamics of food production with the "Sustainable Food Systems" course, designed for individuals interested in the intersection of science, engineering, and sustainability. This foundational course, presented by Coursera, offers a comprehensive exploration of the food, fiber, and natural resource industries through the lens of systems thinking. Over the span of approximately 14 hours, learners will delve into the grand challenges these industries face and their impacts on society, the environment, and economic systems. The course emphasizes the three key pillars of sustainability—social, environmental, and economic—and provides insights on how to integrate these pillars into practical solutions for a sustainable future. Ideal for anyone looking to understand and engage with sustainable practices in food systems, this course is a part of the College of ACES's online programs. Learners also have the opportunity to apply their Coursera coursework towards a degree program at the University of Illinois. With a foundational level of instruction, the course is accessible to beginners and offers a flexible subscription through the Starter plan. Whether you're a student, a professional in the industry, or simply passionate about sustainability, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on our world.

Anna Ball, Ph.D.
Instructors

Anna Ball, Ph.D.

Katie Duitsman
Instructors

Katie Duitsman