General Studies (GNST) 201 - Lecture 10
The politics of food
Winter 2007
TR 15:30 - 16:45  

Instructor:	Prof. GwendolynBlue
Office Location:	SS 306
Office Phone:	220 - 4845
E-Mail:	ggblue@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	TR 13:00 - 14:00

Course Description

Food is something we often take for granted as an ordinary part of our daily lives. However, recently it has become a site of political controversy with debates raging over hunger, obesity, genetic modification, organic food, and food safety. Some have wondered if there is anything left we can safely eat whereas others question what all the hype is about.

This inquiry based course is designed to help you learn about food politics while exploring your own research questions. You will be given an introduction into what it means to research and write effectively at a university level.

Objectives of the Course

By the end of the course, students will be able to give effective presentations, produce a research proposal and final report, as well as communicate ideas effectively in different modes as well as to different audiences.

Textbooks and Readings:

Hjortshoj, Keith. 2001. The Transition to College Writing. New York: Bedford /St. Martins.

Readings will also be assigned in class. More details to follow.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Course Assignments

Annotated bibliography 5 % (Due January 25) Final project proposal 10 % (Due February 6) Oral Presentation 15 % (From March 6 - 13) Peer review 10 % (March 27) Final paper 35 % (April 5) Participation 10 % In class assignments 15 % (These will be staggered throughout the class)

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out in class.