Admission requirements
This course is available for students of the Humanities Lab
If you have received your propaedeutic diploma within one academic year, your academic results are good and you are a very motivated student, you may apply for a place in the Humanities Lab.
Description
Food is a universal, yet highly diverse, feature of the human condition. It is an essential way through which individuals and societies define themselves. This is especially the case now in our ever globalizing world. In this course, we will review the major instances of culinary globalization – from the Columbian Exchange to the global spread of McDonalds – and will explore the impact of these developments on national identity. We will also examine the role of food in nation branding activities, and the recent phenomenon of gastronationalism. Examples will be drawn from across the world, including UK and the Netherlands, Japan and Korea, and the Middle East.
Course objectives
The main objective of this course is to nurture students’ understanding of the impact of historical forces on contemporary life, in particular the taken for granted, mundane phenomena such as cooking and eating. A trip to a local supermarket will never be the same again! The course will also introduce students to the key literature in the study of history and anthropology of food.
Timetable
Courses of the Humanities Lab are scheduled on Friday afternoon from 13.00 to 17.00.
For the exact timetable, please visit the following website.
Mode of instruction
Lecture + seminar.
Course Load
Total course load for the course: 5 ec = 140 hours:
Lectures/Seminars: 4 hours a week x 6 = 24 hours;
Readings: 8 hours a week x 6 = 48 hours;
Weekly Assignments: 2 hours a week x 6 = 12 hours;
Presentation: 1× 6 hours = 6 hours;
Final paper: 50 hours.
Assessment method
Assessment
Attendance, active participation, and presentation (30%);
Weekly assignments (30%);
Final paper (2,500-3,000 words), (40%).
Attendance is compulsory for all class sessions. If you are unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control, you should notify the Humanities Lab office. Being absent without notification may result in lower grades or exclusion from the course.
All elements have to be passed successfully to receive a course grade. There are no resits for attendance, the presentation and weekly assignments. For the research paper, the possibility of a resit applies.
Weighing
Attendance, active participation, and presentation (30%);
Weekly assignments (30%);
Final paper (2,500-3,000 words), (40%).
Attendance
Attendance is compulsory for all meetings (lectures, seminars, excursion). If you are unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control, notify the Humanities Lab coordinators (honours@hum.leidenuniv.nl) in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence, and hand in your weekly assignment in writing to the lecturer (if applicable). Being absent without notification and valid reason may result in lower grades or exclusion from the course.
Blackboard
Blackboard plays an essential part in this course. All important information about the course, including the syllabus, course requirements, and information about readings and announcements are made available on the course website. As part of class participation, students will also be required to make postings on the Blackboard website. Blackboard access is therefore essential in order to complete this course.
Reading list
See Blackboard.
Registration
Students of the Humanities Lab will be registered via uSis by the administration of the Humanities Lab. More information about registration for courses will be provided on Blackboard.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Remarks
This course is part of the Humanities Lab programme, visit the website for more information.
Visit the Honours Academy website for more information about the Honours College.