Food and Health 1 (Nutrition, Food and Culture), One-semester Programme

Study programme code EMK1-30

ECTS credits 30

Admission requirements Food and Health 1 is an optional subject in various teacher education programmes. It can be extended with a 30-credit specialisation and by a Master´s degree at other institutions at home or abroad.

General description and profile of the programme The study programme gives basic knowledge in food and health. General teacher education students (ALU) will be qualified for teaching in the subject food and health in primary school. Pre-school teacher education students (FLU) will acquire increased competence in food and meals in kindergarten. The programme will also give a general introduction to nutrition, food and culture, for use in various contexts. The programme includes elements from both natural - and social sciences. Instruction will be a combination of theory and practical activities. Main topics are nutrition, health, diet, imparting knowledge of healthy diets, food knowledge, food in other cultures, practical activities, and didactics. Through representation in the study board students have contributed to the development of the course. According to the university´s quality assurance system they have given their recommendations of which subjects that should be given more focus in a revised course description. A clear progression in the students' professional field work will be ensured through close cooperation between field work supervisors, field work schools, kindergartens, students, and teachers. Relevant field work is organised at various work places as part of the study programme. Teachers actively cooperate with the work placements through research work. The students will have the opportunity to participate in this work as part of their assignments. Food and Health 1 is divided into 3 courses, each of 10 credits: ERN100-1, ERN101-1/ERN108-1, and ERN102-1 are offered in the autumn. Food and Health 2 is divided into 3 courses, each of 10 credits: ERN104-1, ERN105-1, and ERN106-1 are offered in the spring. The spring courses are based on the autumn courses. Students may choose 30 credits (autumn) or 60 credits (autumn + spring). Students will acquire values and knowledge about food culture, diet and nutrition, physical, mental and social health, consumerism and economy, interaction and lifestyle. Through participating in this course, students will develop an active awareness of both course contents and their own understanding of the subject matter. The study programme will in the best possible manner assure the student's achieving the academic goals outlined in the various overall educational outlines for schools and kindergartens. Working with the subject will assure interaction between theoretical knowledge, practical experience, professional development and didactic reflection. The programme will prepare students for teaching children and adolescents with different backgrounds and abilities. Please refer to the objectives listed in individual course descriptions. The programme includes parts of all the target areas listed in the National Curriculum. Contents of the study programme are understood in relation to the Food and Health section of new governmental educational reforms (´Kunnskapsløftet´ and Guidelines for food and meals in kindergarten; Norwegian Directory of Health).

Learning outcomes After having completed the programme, the student will: have acquired professional and didactic skills related to teaching food and health in primary school (ALU) or related to imparting healthy diets in kindergarten (FLU) be able to cooperate with colleagues and include the field of food and health in new contexts at school or kindergarten be able to reflect upon his/her own practice and develop his/her own skills related to promoting healthy eating habits to children and adolescents with different backgrounds and abilities

Teaching methods Various work - and instruction methods will be used: lectures; individual assignments; group assignments; demonstrations; presentations; practical work; excursions; station instruction; theme - and project work, and the use of IT. Compulsory participation: all lessons with practical work and laboratory work guest lectures and excursions project presentations Please refer to the course brochure for information about compulsory instruction. Should a student be absent during compulsory instruction, these lessons must be made up. Please refer to the University's Guidelines for Compulsory Instruction and Other Compulsory Student Participation. Students who take the programme as the third year of ALU are to have 40 hours of practice teaching in primary school with individual guidance during each semester. Students who take the programme as the fourth year in ALU (according to the 2003 National Curriculum) complete over the course of the entire fourth academic year practice-related research and development work (course code TLF008-1). This will be a professional didactic and practice related research and development work in which the student implements and verifies a self chosen development project, individually or in groups. This shall at least equivalent to two weeks of work (80 working hours). Students who take the programme as their third year of pre-school teacher education shall have two weeks of practice teaching in a kindergarten. All students who have practice as part of their study programme, must have passed the field work in order to have the programme included in their teacher education. For more details about field work in various teacher education programmes, please refer to the National Curriculum for FLU and ALU (´Rammeplan for FLU og ALU, 2003).

Assessment methods The following assessment methods will be used: portfolio; practical and didactical examinations, group assignments, project assignments with presentations and written, individual examinations. Types of assessment are listed under each course description.

Student exchange Arrangements are made for international exchange. The faculty is internationally engaged through the EU-programmes Nordplus and Erasmus, as well as elsewhere in Europe and also Australia. Please refer to the faculty´s web-pages and to the International Department for further information.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies The study programme can be included as an optional subject in the third or fourth year in the general teacher education (ALU). Food and health 1 can be included as an optional subject in the preschool teacher education programme (FLU). Qualified teachers and pre-school teachers may take the programme as continuing education.

Other information Students must expect some expenses for materials, especially for practical courses. Students must have proper working clothes with regard to hygienic requirements. Course contents are subject to change. Qualification awarded None. 30 credits. ECTS departmental co-ordinator Coordinator Anne S. Ask (anne.s.ask@uia.no)