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Department of Development Studies

Famine and Food Security (MSc Research for International Development)

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Term 1


In many ways, access to food represents one of the most basic development problems. This course considers food security as the desired outcome of not only local livelihood choices and strategies, but also government policy, development strategies, and global distributions of power. All of these factors impact the range of possible steps that can be taken to ensure a reliable supply of food. As such, food security is considered to be the lens through which wider livelihood and human security is achieved.

This course will examine theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding food (in)security and famine. Starting from the basic premise that food insecurity is a failure of access, and as such is a political, economic and social construct, critical perspectives on the factors that restrict people’s access to food will be considered. The myriad practices that people engage in to help themselves to achieve food security and to prevent famine will be a major focus of the course. Covering a wide geographical, historical, and thematic scope, readings, discussions and exercises will address current debates concerning the causes and dynamics of food insecurity and famine as well as critical analysis of interventions aimed at improving food security and/or preventing famine.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

1. Discuss the historical development of theoretical approaches to food insecurity, from Malthus to Sen to contemporary livelihoods theory.
2. Identify the main components of food security and the mechanisms that must be in place to ensure equitable and sustainable access to food.
3. Describe the political and economic processes by which food insecurity has led to famine in several historical examples from around the world.
4. Recognise the main indicators of food insecurity and describe their use in early warning systems currently being used.
5. Identify coping and distress strategies that food insecure people commonly employ to mitigate risk and withstand shocks.
6. Explain how the international food aid system typically works, the role that political considerations may play in relief, and the shortcomings of these systems.
7. Apply knowledge of hazard impacts, coping strategies and assistance frameworks to thinking about potential kinds of assistance that might not only relieve immediate food needs but promote recovery in the longer term as well.


Teaching takes place through a weekly 3 hour seminar.

Method of assessment

50% examination, 50% coursework. Each student will be expected to submit one essay of no more than 4000 words (worth 40%) and a critical review of a group of required readings of no more than 1500 words (worth 10%). Resubmission of coursework regulations apply.