Anthropology 24, Section 2
Food Culture and Behavior through Film (1 unit, P/NP)
Professor Stanley H. Brandes
Thursday 3:30-5:00, 2251 College Avenue, Room 101, CCN: 02548

This seminar will meet for nine weeks on the following dates: January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11, February 18, February 25, March 4, March 11, and March 18, 2010.

This course is designed to explore through film what and how we eat, as well as the multiple social and symbolic meanings of consumption patterns around the globe. Through an analysis of both documentary and feature films, we will analyze the consequences of food habits for individual and group identity (gender, class, ethnic, and national identity), for the production and dissolution of social boundaries, and for the reinforcement of religious prescriptions and proscriptions, among other topics. Students will prepare for each class by viewing the assigned film for the week. Seminar sessions will be devoted to lively discussions of the weekly offering. The overall goal of the course is to demonstrate how film can be used to enhance our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Some of the films we might view include "Like Water for Chocolate," "Ratatouille," "Tampopo," "Chocolat," "Babette's Feast," "Fast Food Nation," "Food, Inc.," and "Super-Size Me."

Stanley Brandes received his Ph.D. in Anthropology at UCB and has been a long-time member of the Cal anthropology faculty. His recent research includes the analysis of food and drink, ritual and religion, pets and their people, and the social dimensions of visual media, especially photography and film.