A food culture is the practices and beliefs surrounding the consumption of food in a particular community. A food culture can be associated with a nationality, a religion, a health movement, or another kind of group.
Choose a food culture that you think has become important in broader American culture. See the list of examples below, and feel free to choose something else not listed here.
Indian (or another nationality) food
British (or another nationality) tea (or another beverage)
Vegetarian or vegan food
Organic food
Kosher food
Cajun food
Soul food
Street food in New York (or another city)
Eat something from that food culture, so you can experience it firsthand and take notes describing it. Take pictures!
Find 2-3 online articles about the history and impact of the food culture in the US.
Write a 2-3 page (double-spaced) research paper about the food culture. Structure your paper using the below guideline:
INTRODUCTION (1 paragraph): Include a thesis statement where you define your food culture and explain what makes it important to American culture. Include a picture of the food you ate!
BODY (3 paragraphs): Write one paragraph describing the food culture (the actual food products as well as the beliefs and practices surrounding their consumption); one paragraph explaining the history of the food culture; and one paragraph explaining its impact on broader American culture.
CONCLUSION (1 paragraph): Restate your thesis. Explain why thinking about food cultures helps us understand and value diversity.
MUST WATCH VIDEOS AND USE INFORMATION FROM EACH
STEP 1: WHY DIVERSITY MATTERS
Watch the following video on the benefits of diversity. Take careful notes. After watching the videos, write down a list of the benefits of diversity, based on the videos, that you can use and refer to during this course.
Watch
Play Video
| Michael Gavin | TEDxCSU
Read the following article on the benefits of diversity. Take careful notes. Add to your list of the benefits of diversity, based on the reading.
Read Why Diversity Matters
STEP 2: THE PROBLEM WITH STEREOTYPES
Watch the following video on the problem with failing to understand diversity. Take careful notes. After watching the video, type up a definition of “the danger of a single story” you can use and refer to during this course.
Watch
Play Video
| Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | TED Talks
STEP 4: ARCHIVE AND APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED
Save your notes as the second entry in the “journal” you started last week, to apply to your assignments in this course and to your personal and professional life beyond this course.
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