ANTH180 - WHAT WE EAT: What We Eat: A Cross-Cultural Approach

This course examines political, economic, and social issues related to food. Eating is a part of our everyday life and therefore we regard the behavior as natural. Every human behavior related to eating, however, conveys diverse cultural meanings closely tied to specific social settings. For example, food is assoicated with human concepts about health, fitness, and beauty. It also functions as a subtle marker of one's class affiliation. This course helps students to see how human thoughts, behavior, and social relations are manifested and reinforced through food consumption. Course topics include: food taboos and restrictions; food as a marker of social boundaries; food symbolism and individual/group identity; fasting and absitinence; table manners and class differences; changing body images and the politics of obesity; food and power relationships; gift giving and social reciprocity; food exchanges and community maintenance; McDonaldization of food consumption and production; globalization of food items; changes in dietary patterns and social trends; famine and food emergencies; food security and risk society; barriers to food trade and agronationalism. Please note: this is not a survey of nutritional or dietetic science.