Overview
Food Culture Project is an interdisciplinary, research-led course examining food as a medium of culture, identity, memory, creativity, and social connection. Students investigate food traditions, migration, globalization, ritual, hospitality, taste, class, gender, religion, labour, tourism, media, and food justice through culturally situated analysis.
Students develop an original project grounded in ethnographic, archival, oral-history, sensory, or participatory research. Possible outcomes include a food exhibition, public programme, digital archive, documentary, publication, community event, or critically framed culinary concept. Emphasis is placed on ethical representation, intellectual property, food safety awareness, sustainability, accessibility, supply chains, and the avoidance of stereotyping and cultural appropriation.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse food practices within historical, social, political, and cultural contexts.
- Evaluate qualitative evidence gathered through ethnographic, archival, oral-history, sensory, and participatory methods.
- Develop an original food culture project that integrates sustained research with appropriate creative or public-facing practice.
- Apply ethical principles concerning representation, consent, intellectual property, cultural ownership, accessibility, and community participation.
- Synthesize research findings into coherent visual, written, material, digital, or audiovisual communication.
- Integrate considerations of sustainability, food systems, supply chains, and food safety into project development.
- Collaborate effectively with participants, communities, and interdisciplinary project teams.
- Evaluate the cultural, social, practical, and ethical impact of a completed food culture project.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Seminar | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Studio | 2 hours | Weekly | Second term |
| Practicum | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Research portfolio | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Project proposal | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Prototype or public-facing artefact | 20.00% |
| Capstone | Final project | 30.00% |
| Assignment | Reflective commentary | 10.00% |
| Test | Final presentation | 5.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement Relevant prior study in cultural studies, media, design, the arts, anthropology, or a related discipline.
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
