Food and Society: An Introduction (211-0-20)
Instructors
Miri Eliyahu
Social scientist, and a senior market research analyst for a leading global firm. I specialize in Economic sociology, food sociology and consumerism. My teaching philosophy is that learning should be a positive and rewarding experience, and that classes should be engaging and interesting.
Meeting Info
Harris Hall 107: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
What makes food social? What is sociological about eating? How does society shape our relationship with food? These are questions at the center of this course. During the span of this quarter, we will learn about the role of food in society, how social norms as well as culture impact our view of food and review the following topic within food and society: Food inequality, food and sustainability, food and gender and lastly, food culture in the US. We will do so by employing a sociological perspective to food that will help is critically engage with something we do every day - preparing and eating food. This is an introductory level class and does not require prior knowledge in sociology or in knowledge production. By the end of the quarter students will view food as a social and community construct that impacts our lives, well-being, and society.
This course is taught with ENVR_POL 211-0-20
Learning Objectives
By the end of the quarter students are expected to:
1. Become familiar with sociological perspectives on food and present an in depth understating of the course materials.
2. Develop critical analytical skills and apply them to food related topics inside and outside of the classroom.
3. Synthesize course materials in a coherent manner and develop their own arguments regarding food and society.
Teaching Method
The course will be a combination of lectures, class discussion and group work
Evaluation Method
20%: Individual weekly assignments: students are expected to submit a comment, question, or a relevant news article, podcast, or social media post/video to the discussion boards on Canvas.
10%: Attendance: Attendance will be taken through an in-class survey every lecture, that is not directly related to the readings.
20%: Group assignment: Students will be divided to groups of 4, will select one food item or topic, and analyze it using the theories learned in class during the first half of the quarter.
25%: Midterm exam: the midterm will include three sections: definitions, short essay questions and a long essay question. All of which will be with multiple options to choose from.
25%: Final exam: The Final exam will include three sections: definitions, short essay questions and a long essay question. All of which will be with multiple options to choose from.
Class Materials (Required)
This course will have required books/other materials.
Hungry; Avocado toast, Instagram Influencers, and our search for connection and meaning / Eve Turow-Paul. ISBN: 978-1-948836-97-552495
Class Attributes
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area