Food Studies

Food has been part of the semiotic process of film-making since films began. Both food and film provide information about ourselves and our values. They both communicate information about our political and economic aspirations, ethnic and religious values, and even sexual and philosophical identities. Both enrich our minds with ideas about adventure and bravery, hope and despair, love and romance, and more. This course explores the representations of food in world cinema. We will pay special attention to the social, cultural and historical issues depicted in films from around the world. In addition to analyzing films as pieces of artist cinematic expression, we will also examine the multiple roles that “culinary images’ play in world cinema. We will also pay special attention to how food production and preparation, presentation and consumption can play an important role in film structure, character development and film themes.

​​​​​Food is one of the most universally used themes in literary works since ancient times. In this course, students will study the role of food in literature written by “global” authors and ethnic writers. Food is used in literature to present interpretations of culture, history, politics, ethnicity, and gender issues.

More than nine million people die every year of hunger, malnutrition, and related diseases, most of them children in Africa. Nutritional deprivation affects more than one-quarter of the world's population. Western (American and European) policies keep the world's poorest hungry and unable to feed themselves. Why does hunger exist globally despite an abundance of food? This course is a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study of world hunger. It involves a critical examination of the political, economic, social, and ecological causes and consequences of hunger and famine. There are only a few other global problems of more dire significance in today's world than world hunger. Through readings and research, students will learn about hunger in the United States and around the world in different historical and cultural contexts along with different explanations and solutions to hunger worldwide

Performance Nutrition examines the role of nutrition in physical activity and athletic performance. Topics include bioenergetics, the effect of food on metabolism and how food content and quality impacts performance. Using case study and examination, candidates will exhibit understanding  of the role of nutrition in physical activity.