ANTH 2042 - Consuming Passions: Anthropology of Food and Drink

North Terrace Campus - Summer - 2015

Why is food usually shared? Why is drinking alone considered deviant? What is the connection between food and sex? Why is eating together so important? How do we decide what is ethnic food, and what isn't? Why do we consume so much information on diet and dieting? Why is our appetite for TV cookery programs insatiable? Why is eating out taking the place of eating in? Food and drink are imperative to the reproduction of all social life. Their consumption is therefore integral to the construction of social identity. This course aims to address a number of challenging and topical questions about the place of food and drink in contemporary society. It will introduce students to the work of those social anthropologists who have made significant contributions to the study of food and drink, as well as facilitating group research into particular topics of current concern. You must pass all graded components of this class and attend all lectures, seminars and workshops either on campus or online as required in order to pass the course.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2042
    Course Consuming Passions: Anthropology of Food and Drink
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Summer
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact A portion of this course is delivered online. The course runs over 6 weeks with a minimum of 12 hours of online lectures, plus online activities and contact. The course also includes 28 on-campus contact hours delivered in one week.
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 Arts courses
    Incompatible ANTH 2026 or ANTH 3026
    Assumed Knowledge 3 units of Level I Anthropology
    Course Description Why is food usually shared? Why is drinking alone considered deviant? What is the connection between food and sex? Why is eating together so important? How do we decide what is ethnic food, and what isn't? Why do we consume so much information on diet and dieting? Why is our appetite for TV cookery programs insatiable? Why is eating out taking the place of eating in?
    Food and drink are imperative to the reproduction of all social life. Their consumption is therefore integral to the construction of social identity. This course aims to address a number of challenging and topical questions about the place of food and drink in contemporary society. It will introduce students to the work of those social anthropologists who have made significant contributions to the study of food and drink, as well as facilitating group research into particular topics of current concern.
    You must pass all graded components of this class and attend all lectures, seminars and workshops either on campus or online as required in order to pass the course.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Andrea Mac Rae

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will:
    1 Obtain knowledge of anthropology as an academic discipline and a body of knowledge based on specific methodologies, concepts and theories; and an understanding of the wider interdisciplinary context of research into human societies and behaviour
    2 Demonstrate the ability to formulate, investigate and discuss anthropologically informed questions and provide an ethnographic description and analyse it
    3 Demonstrate the ability to synthesise, evaluate and generate ideas and concepts in anthropology and obtain the capacity to understand the recognise central or key anthropological questions, problems and assumptions
    4 Demonstrate the ability to develop both individually and cooperatively anthropologically informed arguments, which are clearly based on evidence and critically evaluate explanatory frameworks in terms of this evidence
    5 Demonstrate the ability to apply anthropological knowledge and research methods to a variety of real world contexts
    6 Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate anthropological principles and knowledge to anthropological as well as other audiences individually and by contributing productively in groups and in the development of group-based outcomes
    7 Obtain knowledge of appropriate and available technologies for conducting effective and ethical ethnographic research and the ability to draw on these technologies in ways that enhance the capacity to reach effective and meaningful research outcomes
    8 Demonstrate the ability to be self-directed, intellectually independent and analysie everyday assumptions and practices, in their own lives as well as those of others
    9 Demonstrate a comparative and tolerant outlook, which recognises the various ethical issues associated with representing the understanding and practices of others
    10 Demonstrate a recognition of social and cultural issues, and their ethical implications, in a global context in terms of the production and generation of anthropological research and knowledge
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 4, 5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 7
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 8
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 10
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials developing material covered in lectures.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    This course is taught intensively over six weeks.
    2.5 hour lecture/seminar per week 15 hours per semester
    2 hour workshop per week 12 hours per semester
    12 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    5.5 hours research per week 33 hours per semester
    4 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Course overview and preliminary readings
    Week 2 Theories on Eating In and Out
    Week 3 Cultural Consumption:Cookbooks and Community, Conviviality, and Class
    Week 4 Separation and Inclusion: ethnicity and drinking
    Week 5 Gender in All Its Glory
    Week 6 Forbidden Fruits: Pleasure, Pollution and Voyeurism
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Course Learning Outcome
    Attendance and participation Formative and Summative 10% 1-10
    Food diary Formative and Summative 20% 4, 5, 6, 7
    2000 word ethnographic project Formative and Summative 25% 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8
    3000 word major essay Summative 45% 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
    Assessment Detail
    Participation and attendance - 10% weighting
    Demonstrating that you have read the set readings and contributing to workshop debate are the essential components of participation.
     
    Food diary exercise - 20% weighting
    Each student will be involved in an ethnographic study of their own eating habits. This will entail recording and reflecting on what you eat for a set period and in accordance with the readings.

    Ethnographic project - 25% weighting
    Each student will participate in two ethnographic projects; once as the participant and once as the ethnographic observer.  The first project will entail following a novel dietary regime, not to change your weight but to experience a different form of eating.  The second project will require the participant to put together a special meal, something akin to a dinner party or Sunday lunch. 
    For both projects, the ethnographic observer will treat the participant as the subject of an ethnography and will write up a 2000 word ethnographic essay of the experience.

    Major essay - 45% weighting
    Each student will write a major essay by way of completing the course. Essay topics will be made available by the fourth week of the course, as will the main criteria according to which this component will be marked. The word length is 3000 words.

    Submission
    All assignments must be submitted online via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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