SOC 234 - Sociology of Food and Eating 3 s.h.

This course will provide students with a sociological understanding of food and eating in American society. This understanding will be developed at both micro- and macro- sociological levels, examining the social context of food. Various topics are explored, such as the personal, social, and cultural meanings of food; the role of food in identity and social relationships; food and eating as related to family, age, gender, ethnicity, and social class; food and the body; the medicalization of food; food-related social movements; the social and economic organizations of the food system and industry (including fast food, biotechnology, and globalization issues); and food politics and policy. There is a service learning component to the course that involves volunteer work at a community organization, such as a soup kitchen or food bank.
LA
Prerequisite(s): 3 s.h. SOC.