Because all people make conscious and unconscious choices about what they eat, it is probably the activity that reveals most about an individual or group of people, that person’s values, fears, ambitions–and where that person fits in a society. A person’s attitude toward food can reveal an entire food ideology or set of beliefs about food that encompasses a way of thinking about the world, and usually an ideal way of being in that world. Most food ideologies also promise the individual that if one eats in this special way they will become a better, happier, more successful, more moral individual.
This semester we will study the way food informs our lives through fiction (satires, short stories and novels), non-fiction (memoir and journalistic research), poetry, essays and scholarly articles. We will also examine the ways our food choices affect our environment, especially Hawai`i.
Goals: By the end of the semester you will be better prepared to conduct and present research. Your writing skills will improve. You will be better able to read texts for deep meaning, to think critically, and to question what you read. As your skills in these areas improve, you will learn the value of discussion and writing as tools to help you make sense of your thoughts, and you will come to enjoy writing (if you don’t already). Also your awareness of how and what you eat will increase.
Assignments: Students will write three essays (two shorter works plus a research paper). Also, there will be two oral presentations, a midterm and a final exam. Attendance is mandatory.
Required Texts:
• THE BEST FOOD WRITING: 2009 by Holly Hughes.
• THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMNA: A NATURAL HISTORY OF FOUR by Michael Pollan.
• FAST FOOD NATION by Eric Schlosser.
• ANIMAL, VEGETABLE MIRACLE: A YEAR OF FOOD LIFE by Barbara Kingsolver.
• DONALD DUK by Frank Chin.
There will be a course reader as well.
All books will be available at Revolution Books, 2626 South King, #201. The number is 944-3106. Pick up all assigned texts at the same time.
