Course Programs

2026

Introduction to Food Studies in the Social Sciences

Code:G2B46213 / Instructor:MAWER KIM GISELA

Course Description

This seminar will introduce students to food studies in the social sciences. In the first four sessions, we will look at how food studies developed in the social sciences and the kinds of topics that are covered.To help understand human beings’ relation to food and how we decide what to eat, students will then be introduced to a "culinary triangle" consisting of the following corners: identity, convenience, responsibility. For each of these corners, we will have a block of sessions with one main group activity followed by student presentations.
Through the activities in this seminar, students will gain an understanding of how our food choices are shaped within socio-culturally embedded complex commodity chains. Students will also learn how to critically investigate and reflect on these commodity chains and their own food choices.

Course Plan

1:Orientation
2:What is food studies?
3:Individual task & discussion session: What's for dinner?
4:How do we decide what to eat? - Introducing the culinary triangle
5:Introduction to Block 1: Identity
6:Group work & guidance
7:Group work & guidance
8:Presentations
9:Introduction to Block 2: Convenience
10:Group work & guidance
11:Group work & guidance
第12回:Presentations
第13回:Introduction to Block 3: Responsibility
第14回:Group work & guidance
第15回:Group work & guidance
第16回:Presentations + Class survey