B8094 - Anthropology of Food (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students master the main theoretical and methodological frameworks for the anthropological analysis of food practices; they also acquire skills in developing their own analyses of food and nutrition with reference to historical and cultural dynamics as well as social stratification.

Course contents

The course introduces the Anthropology of Food through a historical, methodological, and ethnographic perspective, with particular attention to the relationship between food, power, and gender. The first part of the course offers a historical, methodological, and ethnographic overview of the field. It introduces the work of major scholars who have contributed to the development of the anthropology of food, including Audrey Richards, Mary Douglas, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Sidney Mintz, and Mary Weismantel. Through the discussion of these authors, students will become familiar with the historical development of this field of study and with the principal theoretical and methodological approaches adopted by cultural anthropology in the study of food.

The second part of the course is organized around a series of thematic lectures addressing the following topics: food and power; food and obesity; food and malnutrition; food transitions; food and ethnobotany; ultra-processed foods; and the production and restitution of recipe books in Indigenous contexts.

The overarching theme connecting these lectures is the relationship between food and gender from an anthropological perspective.

Attending students will receive a detailed programme of lectures and readings during the course.

Readings/Bibliography

- A course reader available on the VIRTUALE e-learning platform.

- One of the following books or edited collections (to be chosen by the student):

- Giordana, L., & Schierano, P. (eds.) (2024). Gastropolitiche insulari [Insular Gastropolitics]. Special Issue, Archivio Antropologico Mediterraneo, Vol. XXVII, No. 26(1).
https://journals.openedition.org/aam/7660

- Cuturi, F., & Mauriello, M. (eds.) (2022). Cibi e poteri. Etnografie degli usi sociopolitici del cibo [Food and Power: Ethnographies of the Sociopolitical Uses of Food]. Special Issue, L'UOMO, Vol. 12.
https://rosa.uniroma1.it/rosa03/uomo/issue/view/1658

- Franceschi, Z. A., & Peveri, V. (eds.) (2014). Raccontare di gusto. Arti del cibo e della memoria in America Latina e Africa. Pisa: Edizioni ETS.

- Le Breton, D. (2014). Il sapore del mondo. Un'antropologia dei sensi. Milan: Raffaello Cortina Editore.

- Mauriello, M., & Cottino, G. (eds.) (2022). Feeding Genders. Special Issue, Anthropology of Food, No. 2.
https://unora.unior.it/bitstream/11574/216720/1/Feeding%20Genders.pdf

Teaching methods

The course is based primarily on lectures. Audiovisual materials will occasionally be used to complement the lectures and to provide ethnographic examples that illustrate the topics under discussion.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination, with examination sessions scheduled throughout the academic year (see the section Examination sessions). Students must register for the examination through the ALMAESAMI platform and ensure that all administrative requirements have been fulfilled. To facilitate the organization of the examination schedule and the allocation of individual time slots, registration normally closes 7 days before the examination date.

For attending students (attendance is granted to students who attend at least 75% of the classes), assessment includes an oral presentation on a topic selected during the course. A date will be agreed upon collectively (normally at the beginning of November), during which all attending students will present their work. Students choosing this assessment option will be required to prepare one reading selected from the course reader and one additional reading agreed upon with the course lecturer and directly related to the topic of their presentation. All students choosing this assessment format are expected to attend the presentation session and subsequently register for an official examination session in order to complete the second part of the assessment.

For non-attending students, as well as for attending students who do not give the oral presentation, assessment consists of the standard oral examination. Students are required to prepare the course reader together with one book or special issue selected from the reading list.

During the oral examination, students are expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the required readings, to present their contents clearly, and to discuss them critically in dialogue with the course lecturer.

Passing the examination requires a careful and complete reading of all the assigned texts.

The oral examination is not intended as an exercise in rote memorization.

Students should therefore be prepared to answer open-ended questions, propose original interpretations, identify thematic connections across the different readings, compare theoretical and methodological approaches, situate the texts within their historical context, and discuss the relationship between theoretical arguments and specific ethnographic case studies. The ability to formulate critical reflections, raise well-argued questions, or express theoretically and methodologically grounded reservations concerning the assigned readings will be particularly appreciated.

The purpose of the examination is not to reproduce information mechanically  but rather to demonstrate an attentive, reflective, and independent engagement with the literature.

The examination will be conducted in the language of instruction (Italian).

The oral examination consists of one question on each of the required readings.

 

Assessment criteria

An excellent or outstanding grade will be awarded to students who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the required readings, discuss them using appropriate academic language, establish meaningful connections among the different authors, contextualize their theoretical and methodological approaches, and develop independent and critically grounded arguments.

A good or satisfactory grade will be awarded to students who demonstrate an adequate understanding of the required readings, present their main arguments clearly and accurately, and are able to summarize their principal themes using appropriate language.

An unsatisfactory grade will be assigned if students fail to demonstrate the knowledge and competencies specified in the intended learning outcomes of the course, use inappropriate academic language, or are unable to discuss the assigned readings in a critical and informed manner.

In any case, the examination cannot be passed if the candidate fails to answer even one of the questions relating to the required readings.

Students with specific learning needs or disabilities are encouraged to contact the course lecturer at the beginning of the course, or well in advance of the examination, in order to discuss appropriate assessment arrangements.

Examination sessions (Academic Year 2026–2027)

Examination sessions are scheduled during the following months:

• September
• October
• November
• February
• March
• June

The dates of each examination session will be published on AlmaEsami at least one or two months in advance. Registration normally closes 7 days before the examination date. Depending on the number of registered students, an examination session may continue over the following days.

Up-to-date information on examination dates and registration procedures is available through the AlmaEsami platform:

https://www.unibo.it/it/didattica/servizi-agli-studenti/almaesami

NOTE on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

AI can be a useful tool to support independent study by providing in-depth analysis, summaries, and self-assessment exercises. However, with regard to assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during exams. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Lectures are supported throughout the course by PowerPoint presentations. Following each class, the presentation slides will be made available to students in the "Teaching Materials" section of the course on the VIRTUALE e-learning platform.

 

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Zelda Alice Franceschi