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Freie Universität Bozen

Anthropologie der Lebensmittel

Semester 2 · 40474 · Bachelor in Lebensmittelwissenschaften, Önologie und Gastronomie · 6KP · IT


The course offers a general overview of sociocultural anthropology with regard to the study of food and foodways.
It will introduce students to the basic concepts and major issues that have contributed to the anthropology of food and foodways. The course aims to develop students’ acquaintance with topics within food anthropology, including: anthropological categories of subsistence systems; symbolic dimensions of food; food and religion; food, embodiment and gender; food and identity; food, power, social status, and social hierarchy; globalization, food activism and cultural change in food and foodways; anthropological research methods for the study of food and foodways. The course will analyze specific examples and case studies, especially from within anthropology’s unique cross-cultural perspective, fostering a critical approach to describing and analyzing food and foodways in our contemporary globalized society. Through the exercise portion, it will also give students the opportunity to apply the theoretical part to the concrete analysis of local Alpine context.

Lehrende: Daniela Salvucci

Vorlesungsstunden: 36
Laboratoriumsstunden: 24
Anwesenheitpflicht: No

Themen der Lehrveranstaltung
Essen und soziokulturelle Umweltbeziehungen bei den indigenen Völkern der argentinischen Anden: Ein ethnografischer Bericht. Mate- und Kaffeetrinken. Eine Einführung in die anthropologische Perspektive. Essen, Umwelt und Kulturökologie. Berglandwirtschaft in den Alpen. Gut zum Essen oder gut zum Nachdenken? Essen, Religion und kulturelle Klassifizierungslogiken. Anthropologische Forschungsmethoden und ethnografische Feldforschung: Beobachtung und teilnehmende Beobachtung; Deep Mapping; Interviews. Nahrung, Verkörperung und Habitus. Soziale Differenzierung und Lebensstile. Reziprozität, Gemeinsames Essen und Gastro-Politik: Nahrung, Geschlecht und Verwandtschaft. Gastro-Nationalismus: Nahrung, Identität und nationale Küchen. Foodscapes, Globalisierung und das Weltsystem. Lebensmittelindustrie und Lebensmittelaktivismus. Kritische Perspektive auf das kulinarische Erbe und „Food-Porn“.

Propädeutische Lehrveranstaltungen
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Unterrichtsform
Frontalunterricht, ethnografisches Labor (externe Aktivitäten), Diskussionen im Unterricht.

Bildungsziele
Upon completion of their studies, graduates with a bachelor's degree in Food and Enogastronomy Sciences will have acquired a solid foundation of scientific knowledge in disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science, and law, specifically applied to the food and gastronomic sector. They will gain technological skills for managing production and transformation processes, along with an integrated view of the quality, safety, and sustainability of food supply chains and systems. In addition, graduates will understand the principles related to waste reduction, resource optimization, and the reconciliation of economics, and ethics, which are central elements for addressing the modern challenges of the agri-food system. The knowledge and understanding skills mentioned above are acquired through participation in lectures, practical exercises, seminars, and through guided personal study and individual study as provided by the activated educational activities. The verification of the achievement of learning outcomes is mainly carried out through exams and any interim tests. The tests may be written and/or oral, and may also consist of reports and oral presentations of projects or seminars. Students will be able to practically apply the knowledge they have acquired, developing the ability to solve complex problems in the food and gastronomic sector, . Thanks to a wide range of practical activities, such as laboratories, internships, workshops, and seminars, they will be able to use chemical, physical, sensory, and microbiological analysis methods to evaluate the quality and safety of food and production processes. Graduates of the first profile will be able to manage food processing and preservation processes, design new technological solutions, and apply knowledge of plant genetics and process planning to ensure the quality of the final product. Graduates of the second profile will have advanced skills in managing restaurant businesses, promoting gastronomic heritage, and applying fermentation techniques and food design. In both paths, the ability to enhance by-products and reduce waste will be central, contributing to the sustainable innovation of the sector. The educational activities are designed to strengthen the autonomy of judgment and the ability to make decisions in complex contexts, as well as to develop communication skills and the ability to work in multidisciplinary and international teams. At the end of the program, graduates will be able to independently apply their knowledge in professional contexts, promoting innovative and sustainable solutions for the challenges of the agri-food and gastronomic system. The achievement of the ability to apply knowledge is accomplished through critical reflection on the texts proposed for individual study, stimulated by classroom activities, the study of research and application cases presented by the professors, the performance of practical laboratory exercises, fieldwork, bibliographic research, the completion of individual and/or group projects included in the core and elective courses of the curriculum, as well as during internships and the preparation of the final exam. The assessments, carried out through written and/or oral exams, reports, and exercises, involve the completion of specific tasks in which the student demonstrates mastery of tools, methodologies, and critical autonomy. During internships, the assessment is conducted through the presentation of a report by the student to the supervising professor. Evaluate and critically analyze the quality, safety, and sustainability of production processes and food products, considering scientific, technological, economic, and cultural aspects. Students will be able to make informed decisions based on scientific data and the analysis of production contexts to ensure the excellence of the final product. Apply ethical and sustainable approaches, reconciling economic needs with environmental and social requirements. Graduates will be able to identify solutions to reduce waste, enhance by-products, and optimize resource use, proposing food production models in line with the principles of the circular economy. Express independent judgments regarding innovative techniques for the transformation and enhancement of food and gastronomic productions, evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with the introduction of new technologies or business models, both locally and internationally. Interpret and manage complex data collected through chemical, physical, microbiological, and sensory analyses, in order to improve the quality of food products and effectively respond to food safety needs and regulatory requirements of the sector. "Communicate effectively and appropriately with both technical and non-technical interlocutors, including professionals in the food and gastronomic sector, public and private institutions, and the general public. This includes the ability to adapt the communication style based on the audience, using the specific technical language of the food and gastronomic sector when necessary. Present and discuss the results of their analyses and research in both written and oral form, using technological and multimedia tools. Graduates will be able to draft technical reports, research papers, and scientific documents, as well as present their results clearly and structured, for example during conferences, seminars, or business meetings. Actively participate in discussions and group work in multidisciplinary and international contexts, demonstrating active listening, negotiation, and collaboration skills. Practical experiences and internships will provide students with the abilities to work effectively in teams and contribute to solving complex problems in the sector. Use the three languages of instruction of the course (Italian, German, and English) fluently and confidently, both for written and oral communication. Thanks to the trilingual approach of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, graduates will be able to face international work contexts, participate in global networks, and contribute to the development of international cooperation projects to address the challenges of the food and gastronomic sector. "At the end of the degree program, graduates will have developed strong learning skills, essential for successfully continuing academic studies and entering the workforce. In particular, they will be able to: Learn autonomously and continuously, keeping up to date with scientific and technological advancements in the food and gastronomic sector. Graduates will have acquired study methods and research tools that will allow them to independently update their skills, critically interpreting new knowledge. Effectively manage the learning of complex concepts by integrating the various scientific and technical disciplines covered in the degree program, such as chemistry, biology, food technologies, economics, and law. They will be able to identify the most relevant sources, understand and apply new methodologies, and adapt to sector developments. Develop collaborative learning strategies, thanks to the experience gained through group work, internships, and laboratory activities. Graduates will be able to share their knowledge and learn from others, demonstrating adaptability and teamwork skills. Continue their studies independently in Master's degree programs (such as the LM-70 class, Food Science and Technology, currently offered at the same university) or in other related fields, using the skills and methods acquired during the bachelor's degree to tackle new learning challenges, even in high-level academic and professional contexts.

Bildungsziele und erwartete Lernergebnisse (zus. Informationen)
Wissen und Verständnis – Wissen und Verständnis grundlegender anthropologischer Konzepte und Forschungsmethoden in Bezug auf die Erforschung von Ernährung und Esskultur; – Kenntnis der geeigneten wissenschaftlichen Sprache für die soziokulturelle Beschreibung und Analyse von Ernährung und Esskultur; – Kenntnis spezifischer Kontexte und Themen in der anthropologischen Erforschung von Ernährung und Esskultur. Anwendung von Wissen und Verständnis -Fähigkeit, bei der Erörterung relevanter Themen geeignete anthropologische Konzepte und Terminologie anzuwenden; -Fähigkeit, relevante Themen aus anthropologischer Perspektive und mit anthropologischen Methoden zu untersuchen; -Fähigkeit, Vergleiche zwischen spezifischen Kontexten und Themen anzustellen. Urteilsbildung -Förderung kritischen und unabhängigen Denkens; -Förderung der Auseinandersetzung mit ethischen Aspekten des Themas; -Entwicklung einer reflexiven Selbstwahrnehmung bei der Auseinandersetzung mit der soziokulturellen Erforschung von Essen und Esskulturen. Kommunikationsfähigkeiten -Fähigkeiten zur Kommunikation auf akademischem Niveau in Englisch; -Fähigkeit, an wissenschaftlich fundierten Diskussionen teilzunehmen und eine fundierte Meinung zu äußern; -Fähigkeiten zur effektiven Kommunikation vor einem Publikum aus Fachkollegen. Lernkompetenzen -Entwicklung der Fähigkeit, relevantes Wissen eigenständig zu vertiefen; -Förderung der Fähigkeit, anthropologische Forschung zu relevanten Themen zu betreiben; -Förderung der Fähigkeit, neue Konzepte und Informationen im Einklang mit der Analyse sich wandelnder soziokultureller Dynamiken zu erwerben.

Art der Prüfung
Teilnehmende Studierende: Die Kursbewertung basiert auf der individuellen Lektüre und der Präsentation eines wissenschaftlichen Textes im Unterricht (20 %), Gruppenübungen im Labor (20 %), einer abschließenden individuellen Präsentation auf der Grundlage des persönlichen ethnografischen Tagebuchs (30 %) sowie einer kurzen mündlichen Abschlussprüfung zu ausgewählten Literaturquellen (30 %). Nicht teilnehmende Studierende: Die Kursbewertung basiert auf einem schriftlichen Text – der auf praktischen Übungen basiert, die nicht teilnehmende Studierende zu Hause durchführen müssen – der an den Dozenten zu senden ist (30 %) sowie auf einer mündlichen Prüfung zur Pflichtliteratur (70 %). Hinweise zu allen für die Bewertung relevanten Arbeiten und Lektüren werden über die OLE- und/oder Teams-Plattform bereitgestellt.

Bewertungskriterien
Teilnehmende Studierende: Individuelle Erstellung eines ethnografischen Tagebuchs und mündliche Präsentationen: Nachweis des Verständnisses und der Fähigkeit, die Kursinhalte und die wissenschaftliche Sprache korrekt anzuwenden; Fähigkeit, Zusammenhänge zwischen den Themen zu erfassen, zu bewerten und herzustellen; klare Darstellungsweise. Gruppenübung: Fähigkeit zur Teamarbeit, Kreativität, kritisches Denken, Fähigkeit, Inhalte in eigenen Worten zusammenzufassen. Nicht teilnehmende Studierende: Die schriftliche Arbeit und die mündliche Prüfung werden auf der Grundlage des Nachweises des Verständnisses und der Fähigkeit zur korrekten Anwendung der Kurskonzepte, der wissenschaftlichen Sprache und der ethnografischen Methoden bewertet; Fähigkeit, Zusammenhänge zu erfassen, zu bewerten und zwischen den Themen herzustellen; klare Darstellungsweise.

Pflichtliteratur

Auf der Online-Plattform OLE und/oder Teams wird eine Auswahl an Literatur angegeben, darunter Artikel aus wissenschaftlichen Zeitschriften sowie Kapitel aus folgenden Werken:

- G. Crowther 2018, Eating Culture (2. Aufl.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

- C. Counihan, P. van Esterly und A. Julier (Hrsg.), 2019, „Food and Culture: A Reader“ (4. Auflage). New York: Routledge.

- L. Coleman (Hrsg.), 2011, „Food: Ethnographic Encounters“. Oxford: Berg.



Weiterführende Literatur

Weitere Lektüre (Artikel, Fallstudien) wird im Laufe des Kurses bekannt gegeben.




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Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung
Diese Lehrtätigkeit trägt zur Erreichung der folgenden Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung bei.

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