June 25, 2019

Hunger and Food Security Studies Minor

Old Main at dawn or dusk with snow-capped mountains in the background

The Hunger and Food Security Studies Minor requires a minimum of 15 credits and focuses on the complexity of hunger and food insecurity as it pertains to nutrition, public health, climate and the environment, sustainability, mental/physical health, and more. This minor provides students with a broader understanding of the complexity of hunger and the various programs, policies, and environmental changes that can reduce this significant social issue. There are very few hunger and food security-related minors across the country. As a result, this is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students at USU.

This minor aligns with past USU President Stan Albrecht's commitment to food and nutrition security demonstrated when he signed the President's United to Solve Hunger initiative in 2015. Through this pledge he committed to pursue activities that prioritize food and nutrition on campus including research, teaching, outreach and student engagement. This minor also aligns with the USU Extension mission aimed to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Utah. The education and training provided in this minor support several Extension programs and efforts including SNAP-Ed, EFNEP, and the Hunger Solutions Institute, all of which provide hands-on opportunities for students. Students from any undergraduate program can pursue this minor to gain a broader knowledge of this complex social issue.

The curriculum for this minor is strategically designed to give students a broader understanding of the issue of hunger and food security, expanding upon hunger-related content they may already learn about in their major field of study. All courses in the curriculum are included to provide students with knowledge and skills that are important when working with organizations involved in hunger-relief programming and policy making. Courses from several departments across campus are included in the curriculum. 

Hunger and Food Security Studies Minor Curriculum (15 credits)

Students will be required to take NDFS 5010 Hunger Issues and Solutions which has been developed to show the complexity of hunger and the importance of understanding the wide variety of fields that influence hunger and food security at a local and global level. Students will also need to take at least 3 credits from each of the following sections: Food, Nutrition, and Health; History, Sociology, and Anthropology; Resources, Climate, and Sustainability; and Geography and the Environment.

Required

Food, Nutrition, and Health

History, Sociology, and Anthropology

Resources, Climate, and Sustainability

Geography and the Environment

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For more information, please contact:

Dawnetta Mahnken

Academic Advisor/NDFS

Mateja R. Savoie Roskos, PhD, MPH, RD

Assistant Professor, NDFS

Contact Us

Hunger Solutions Institute
USU Extension Program
8749 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-8749

HSI@usu.edu
(435) 797-3923

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Additional Resources

Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science