October 1 – Food, Meaning and Practice

Class Content

In this class, we will discuss the course readings and explore how they can be used in your first assignment. The class will be highly participatory. You will share your analysis of the cultural significance of your chosen food item and receive feedback from Erik, Meghan, and your classmates. We will then discuss the readings and consider how their arguments, concepts, and examples can strengthen your assignment.

Please complete several of the assigned readings and come prepared to discuss them in class.

Supplemental Resources and Resources

These optional resources are included for anyone interested in exploring the topics from class in more depth. 

Claude Lévi-Strauss à propos du livre "Le cru et le cuit"

Links

Reading Review Template
Drive to Save Work

Schedule

Introduction & Check-In

– Welcome and overview of the class
– Brief check-in

Food for Thought: Mushrooms and Mycology

– Introduction to mushrooms and mycology
– Consider the cultural meanings, practices, and relationships associated with mushrooms

Analysis of the Cultural Significance of a Food Item

– Share your preliminary analysis with classmates
– Examine how your food item is produced, represented, understood, and used
– Receive feedback from Erik, Meghan, and your classmates
– Identify areas that could be developed further for the assignment

Reading Discussion

In small groups, discuss:

  1. What are the chapter’s main arguments or central themes?
  2. What examples or evidence does the author use?
  3. What did you find interesting or learn from the chapter?
  4. How does the chapter relate to food, culture, and our class discussions?
  5. How could you use the chapter in your first assignment?

Questions, Concerns & Comments

– Questions about the readings or assignment
– Clarification of expectations and next steps

Reminder

– Our next class will take place at the Loyola campus
– Your first assignment is due in hard copy

Reflection on Food Meaning and Practice

  • How does the way we perform food (through our table manners, conversation, rituals of sharing, and context-specific behaviours) produce social meaning about identity, customs, belonging, and power?
  • What “eating rituals” did you and your family/friends perform?
  • What “eating rituals” do you and your family/friends currently perform?
  • Do these “eating rituals” produce alternative meanings if they were performed in different settings?
  • Why, why not? 

Questions