Latin American Studies (LAST) 40101 S01
INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR IN
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
FOOD AND FOOD ISSUES IN LATIN AMERICA
FALL 2007
THURSDAYS 3:30-6:20

Instructor:                            Denise Fay Brown

Office/Phone number:      ES 444, 220 3930

E-Mail:                                   dfbrown@ucalgary.ca

Office Hours:                       Wednesdays 1-2 PM or by appointment

Course Description

This seminar takes an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of food and food issues in Latin America.  Latin America contributed many domesticates to the world, including such staples as corn and potatoes.  At the same time, the cultural diversity of the region is reflected in the rich array of foods, and social, political and identity issues are ties to this culinary variety.  Food, which usually is associated with nutrition and physical well-being, has a significant social function.  Patterns of food preparation and consumption vary enormously among cultural groups, and are often telling of historical and social realities.  Political, economic and international forces also play a role in food issues, as the poverty and malnutrition, chronic problems of the region, are related to food availability, policies of food production and distribution, and food security issues.  This seminar will examine these important aspects of food in Latin America.

Objectives of the Course

• 1. Discuss the primary domesticates and staples of the Americas, including corn and potatoes, and their global impact.
• 2. Explore food and nutrition, food fads and preferences, food ideology, food and identity in Latin American countries.
• 3. Discuss the role of food in development, food security issues, and the relationship between food and poverty in contemporary Latin America.
• 4. Illustrate and emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of these issues
• 5. Refine student research, analytical, writing and oral presentation skills.
  

Textbooks and Readings

Readings will be either on reserve in the library, deposited in the Collections Room of the Department of Geography (Earth Sciences 4th floor) or on line.

Assignments and Evaluation

Presentations of assigned readings and participation in class                                       10%.

Participation in "food workshop"                                                                             10%.

Draft of paper on "ingredient"                                                                                  10%

Paper on "ingredient" to be presented at the Chac Mool Conference                30%

Debates 2 @ 15% each (present your position paper, participate in debate)  30%.

Reflection paper                                                                                                        10%

                                                                                                                                   100%

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

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 need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

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. 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 (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) 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/su

"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.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html