Course syllabus

SOCIOL 323: Consuming Interests: The Sociology of Food

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor: 

Teacher:

 Claudia Bell - c.bell@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

E.g. - 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 Summary of Course Description:              

 Issues around food consumption are extensively debated in everyday society. In this course we investigate, analyse and theorise the social roles of food in Western societies. We consider the meanings of food for individuals, families, households and society; as a site for moral debate; globalisation and nationalism; negotiation and access; food distress; and food media and the messages it promotes.

Objectives:

• To provide an overview of sociological approaches to issues concerning food consumption
• To develop critical awareness of taken-for-granted everyday issues surrounding food negotiation and consumption
• To consider some research methodologies used in the study of food

To achieve the course objectives you will need to:

• Attend the three scheduled weekly lecture /tutorial sessions
• Read, understand and contribute to class discussions on the assigned readings
• Complete and submit the assignment on time
• Sit and pass the test and the final examination

 Course outcomes:

E.g. A student who successfully completes this course will have the opportunity to:

• acquire knowledge of and apply it to x situations
• understand and carry out [practical skills]
• acquire skills in report writing, critical thinking, academic literacy/ numeracy/ oral presentation etc.

 Assessment Summary:

Weighting of assignments and due dates if available, eg:

20% test               in week 6

30% essay           due week 9

50% exam

Weekly Topics:

Prescribed Texts:

Optional info depending on course requirements

 Recommended Texts:

Optional info depending on course requirements

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.