PRESENTATION COLLEGE – ABERDEEN, SD

 

The History of Food (HS383)

Three Semester Hours

May 16 – June 23, 2011

NU28/LC2/FM217  MTWR 1:00-2:50 pm

 

Welcoming people of all faiths, Presentation College challenges learners toward academic excellence and, in the Catholic tradition, the development of the whole person.

 

 

Instructor:                  Dr. Brad Tennant, Associate Professor, Department of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours:             C333 MTWR 8:00 am-12:00 pm CDT or by appointment.

                                    (605) 229-8577 or 1-800-437-6060 ext. 577 

                                    E-mail:  brad.tennant@presentation.edu

 

Text:   Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food (2002)

by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto

 

Websites (links are also found on the HS263IN Blackboard page):

            The Food Timeline     

http://www.foodtimeline.org/

            http://www.foodtimeline.org/food2.html#science

 

Audio-Video:

            Bread

            A Brief History of Wine

            Cereal: History in a Bowl

            Cold Cuts

            More Snack Food Tech

            Food, Inc.

           

Course Description:

            The History of Food (HS383) examines the history of food from the earliest societies through modern history.  The role of food in various civilizations that have existed throughout the world will be examined in the context of lifestyles, preparation, diet and nutrition, social class differences, religion, and economics.  This course fulfills the requirements for a social science/human culture core and cultural diversity elective.  

 

Instructor Goals:      

1)      To learn how the role of food changed from the early nomadic societies through the agricultural and industrial revolutions to today’s global societies.

2)      To understand the geographic factors that affected the role of food in societies and civilizations throughout the world.

3)      To gain a broader understanding of how the trade and spread of certain foods influenced other societies.

 

 

Instructional Techniques: 

            Although the course is largely lecture-based, it is hoped that the class size and paper topics will encourage active student participation.  Several A-V materials will be used throughout the course.  Supplemental materials will be posted via Blackboard.

 

 

ADA Statement: 

            Presentation College is committed to ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students and provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the College’s procedures.  If you are a student requiring accommodations or services, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 1-800-437-6060, Ext. 581.

 

 

Presentation College General Education Course Goals and Outcomes for H383:

Goals

Outcomes

1. Graduates will read with understanding and think critically.

1a. Read and analyze a short written work.

1b. Demonstrate the critical thinking skills of comprehension, understanding, analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation that pertain to general academic disciplines.

2. Graduates will express themselves clearly, correctly, and succinctly in writing.

2.d. Compose a research-based essay correctly using multiple resource types.

5. Graduates will develop a critical awareness of the diversity of human cultures found in the historical or contemporary world.

5a. Analyze historical events from a multi-cultural perspective.

5b. Articulate interrelationships of individuals, societies, and historical/cultural context.

5c. Comprehend the diversity of perspectives among people of differing religious beliefs, backgrounds, races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, physical capabilities, and ethnicities.

5d. Demonstrate reading and critical thinking skills in the context of the social sciences.

7. Graduates will understand and appreciate the range and/or depth of creative achievement in human thought and works, as found in the traditional humanities disciplines.

7b. Demonstrate competence in contextualizing creative works and ideas.

7c. Demonstrate reading and critical thinking skills in the context of the Humanities.

9. Graduates will show proficiency in the use of technology.

9.a. Use the computer as a word processing tool.

9.b. Use the Internet as a research tool.

 

 

Assessment and Grading:

            Students should be familiar with Presentation College’s policies regarding academic integrity.  These are found in the college catalog under “Academic Policies.”

 

In addition to daily participation grades, student assessment will include six papers based on weekly topics.  The end products should be typed, double-spaced, and 2-3 pages in length with a bibliography.  Font size should not exceed 14 (Times New Roman or comparable font style).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following grading scale will be used based on the highest total number of points received by any student in the class.

            96% and above           =  A

            90 – 95%                     =  A-

            87 – 89%                     =  B+

            83 – 86%                     =  B

            80 – 82%                     =  B-

70 – 79%                     =  C

            60 –69 %                     =  D

            59% and below           =  Failing

 

 

 

Rubric for assessing history papers:

  • Advanced (30 pts = A):  Student includes accurate and specific information in the appropriate historical context with virtually no significant mistakes.
  • Above Average (26 points = B):  Student uses relevant and accurate information but either has minor mistakes or lacks specifics.
  • Average (23 points = C):  Student provides a general understanding of the topic but is limited in specifics or contains a significant mistake.
  • Below Average (20 points = D):  Student demonstrates a vague or poorly developed understanding of the topic with several significant mistakes.
  • Unsatisfactory:  Student does not demonstrate any accurate and specific information in the appropriate historical context or did not submit assigned work.

 

 

 

Attendance:

            As stated in the Presentation College catalog, “Each student is expected to attend every class session and be on time.  If for any reason a student must be absent from class, the responsibility of making up work rests entirely upon the student.”

--- Topics covered will include a great deal of information NOT necessarily found in the text.

--- Since this course hopes to promote active discussion and participation, students will be given
     up to 5 points for each day’s attendance as a participation grade.

--- I do not give “incompletes.”

--- All college closings are the decision of the administration.  Local radio and television stations
     will announce these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Topics:

  • Week One - Food and Early Paleolithic Societies

-          Paper #1 Due Thursday, May 19, 2011

  • Week Two - Food and Ceremony

-          Paper #2 Due Thursday, May 26, 2011

  • Week Three - Domestication and the Agricultural Revolution

-          Paper #3 Due Thursday, June 2, 2011

  • Week Four - Diet and Social Class

-          Paper #4 Due Thursday, June 9, 2011

  • Week Five - Food as Industry

-          Paper #5 Due Thursday, June 16, 2011

  • Week Six – World Hunger

-          Paper #6 Due Thursday, June 23, 2011