SOC 2208 - Food, Culture, and Society

Credits: 4
Eating: the consumption of nutrients is a biological imperative; but food is more than nutrition. This course therefore views food production, processing, distribution and consumption as social and cultural phenomena. It is through foodways that individual and cultural identity is expressed; struggles and aspirations of minority and immigrant communities; social class and culture are expressed. This course will enable students to develop a sociological framework for understanding the role of food in their own lives, that of the contemporary United States, as well as a broader perspective for engaging other cultures. Students will also be
able to draw connections between the various issues on food: GMOs, obesity and hunger, food deserts, agricultural subsidies, federal food regulation and the global dimensions of agri-food networks.
Prerequisites SOC 1103 or SOC 1104 or FYS 1104
McDaniel Plan: Multicultural