- Docente: Ludovica De Panfilis
- Credits: 2
- SSD: MED/02
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Dietistic (cod. 8470)
-
from Oct 16, 2025 to Dec 17, 2025
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have developed an understanding of how the relationship between human life and nutrition has evolved over the centuries, with particular attention to the historical aspects of food-related diseases. They will also acquire knowledge of the historical development of specific dietary practices that have played a crucial role in supporting surgical and resuscitation techniques.
Course contents
This course is part of the Integrated Course in Human Sciences.
The specific contents of this course include:
-
The history of medicine, with a particular focus on the history of food and nutrition;
-
The relationship between food and medicine from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance;
-
The evolution of the concept of nutrition;
-
Scientific nutrition;
-
The relationship between body and food;
-
Food transformations over time;
-
Ethics of care and nutrition;
-
The healthcare professional–patient relationship in the field of nutrition;
-
Ethical issues in clinical nutrition;
-
Ethical dilemmas and clinical nutrition in critical care situations
Readings/Bibliography
PDFs of the PowerPoint presentations used during the lectures will constitute the core material for the exam, together with selected scientific papers discussed in class.
All materials will be made available after each lecture.
The following readings are also recommended:
-
Cosmacini, L’arte lunga. Storia della medicina dall’antichità a oggi, Laterza, 2011
-
Corbellini, Storia e teorie della salute e della malattia, Carocci, 2014
Teaching methods
Lectures and Structured discussions on selected themes.
Interdisciplinary seminars.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be conducted through a final oral examination.
The oral exam will cover the topics addressed during the lectures and the materials listed in the “Readings/Bibliography” section.
The dates of the exam sessions will be published on Almaesami, with mandatory registration required in order to take the exam.
For the evaluation of the course, consideration will be given to the student’s knowledge of the topics, presentation skills, and ability to make connections between the different themes.
The final grade of the Integrated Course will be a weighted average of the partial grades obtained in the two modules, Psychology and History of Medicine. Honors ("lode") will be awarded to students who, having achieved an average of 30, have obtained at least one “lode” in the two partial exams that make up the integrated course.
Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities:
You are advised to contact the appropriate University Office well in advance: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en
The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.
Teaching tools
PDFs of the powerpoint presentations and scientific articles used during the lectures will be made available on the official tools as Virtuale platform, along with other materials considered useful and used during the course.
Office hours
See the website of Ludovica De Panfilis