Course Syllabus

The Power of Food in Literature, Culture & Fi

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Course Description

In this interdisciplinary course, students explore the power and meaning of food and how it is contextualized within the broader aspects of culture and human experience as revealed and expressed in literature and film. Although food plays a fundamental role in survival, it is also at the heart of shared and ritualized eating practices--from simple to ceremonial--that shape identity and define notions of community. Through interpreting short fiction, novels, poems, essays and select films, students explore the cultural and social significance of food in a range of world cultures, the role of food as a literary or cinematic device, and the metaphoric quality of food as it expresses human desire and behavior.

Essential Objectives

1. Define basic literary elements and identify examples where food is employed as a device to express ideas, tone, and values in literature and film.
2. Critically read, view, analyze and evaluate selected works of contemporary literature and film in a broad selection of cultures from around the world, focusing on how food choices, and food-related rituals and behaviors reflect issues of identity and community.
3. Describe the metaphoric quality of food in both eating practices and presentation in a variety of cultures and discuss how food (or its absence) can powerfully convey meaning in social contexts.
4. Examine the historical, social, economic, political, and cultural circumstances surrounding the role and availability of food as it is expressed in selected works of literature and film.
5. Discuss the social justice issues of food access and/or food production as identified in selected works.
6. Examine how the types and uses of food in film and literature may project a specific, erroneous, or limited image of a culture, and evaluate what is lost and gained in the process.
7. Critically view and analyze films, examining how artistic interpretation and the use of visual imagery and soundtracks influence the portrayal and perception of the role of food in culture and relationships.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Fall 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2024-05-20. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

This in-person class will involve a mix of the following teaching and learning methods:

• Readings

• Writing

• Small and Large group Discussion

• Films and TV Shows

• Presentations

• Community Project

Films and TV Shows

This class involves watching and discussing films and some television shows. Although we will watch

some of the films/shows in class, you will also need to watch some for homework. Streaming services

such as Netflix, PBS, Hulu, RedBox, YouTube, and/or Amazon will have most of these films/shows

online.You may also be able to find the DVD from your town's public library or Hartness Library.

Some of the films/shows we will be using in class include, but are not limited to Chef, Chocolat, Food,

Inc., Hundred-Foot Journey, I'll Have What Phil's Having.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me.

Expectations:

• This is a college class and college-level behavior, attention, and engagement are expected of all

students.

• Respect for all students, the instructor, and for all points of view and opinions are essential

components of this class. We do not all have to agree, but we do need to listen and respond with

civility and kindness.

• Attention and active participation are expected of all students at all times. Active participation

includes contributing to all discussion, assignments, and group projects.

• Stretch yourself – the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

• This class will meet every week and you will find all homework assignments on Canvas.

• Late submissions will be accepted for some assignments but you will lose points for each day an

assignment is past due. If an assignment is not submitted on time, it will be marked with a zero

(0) in Gradebook. Once the assignment is submitted (and is accepted by the professor), a grade

will replace the zero.

• You can email Dr. S (mxs00740@CCV.edu) at any time if you have questions. You can also

send Dr. S a message through the Canvas Inbox (found on the left side of Canvas in the green

sidebar).

Evaluation Criteria

• Attendance- 10%
• Class Participation- 15%
• Assignments (written, oral, discussion posts, quizzes, etc.)- 60%
• Final Project- 15%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Will Late Work be Accepted?

In the first half of our semester (week #1 through week #7), late submissions will be accepted only under

these conditions:

• Email Dr. S before the due date to ASK if a late submission of an assignment will be accepted.

• If Dr. S agrees to a late submission for that assignment, a new due date will be assigned.

• If the late assignment is submitted on or before the new due date, it will be accepted but points

will be deducted for lateness.The number of points deducted will be based on how many days past the original due date the assignment is submitted

• If the late assignment is not submitted on or before the new due date, it will not be accepted at all.

• Decisions regarding acceptance of late work will be based on a student's circumstances and how

often that student has asked for an extension before.

• A student who consistently submits late assignments may be denied a new due date for future

assignments.

In the second half of the semester (week #8 through week #15), it will be much harder for a late

submission request to be accepted. Decisions will be made based on a student's work in the first half of

the semester and what extenuating circumstances the student is experiencing.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity