Grade Distribution:
Recipe Presentation. 10% (Oral & Written)
Book Report: Bibliographic Annotation. 20% (Oral & Written)
Research Paper 35% (Written with Oral Presentation)
Final Examination 35% (Written)

Description of Projects and Papers:

1. Recipe Presentation 10% Each student will sign up for a date to offer an oral presentation that presents a favorite recipe. The presentation will include a discussion of the personal, cultural or familial significance of the dish. The instructor will compile these into an online class recipe book. Students must turn in a printed version and a disc with a version in Word (.doc format).

2. Annotated Bibliography Report 20% Each student will review a food related text and present a 5 – 10 minute oral synopsis and interpretation to the class. In this way, students will expand their critical speaking abilities and we will amass as a class an annotated bibliography on food studies, which will be posted on our website. A 2 – 3 paragraph summary of their review should be turned in on the day of presentation in both printed and disc (.doc) format. (Title selections are listed at the end of syllabus.)

3. Research Paper 35% Students will prepare and present a 10 – 15 page research paper on a chosen topic. Topics will be chosen early in the semester. Students will plan, research and develop the paper in consultation with the instructor.

4. Final Examination 35% Students will write a comprehensive final examination connecting the issues and readings studied in the seminar.

5. Class Participation Students will read a variety of theoretical texts, providing active analysis in weekly seminar.

Attendance Policy:
It is extremely important that you come to class. You are allowed two unexcused absences during the semester. After that, you WILL jeopardize the completion of this course. You are responsible for the material covered in each class you were absent. Absence is not a legitimate excuse for coming unprepared to class or for not turning an assignment in on time. Late arrivals, early departures: every two instances that you either arrive FIFTEEN minutes late or more, or leave FIFTEEN minutes or more before class ends, count as one absence.

Please review the Academic Integrity Policies, which can be found on the Columbia College Student Handbook. It is my policy to fail a student from the entire course if s/he has plagiarized in any assignment of this class.

Note: A passing grade in this class satisfies the Cultural Studies Major requirement of a LEVEL 3 Seminar.

© 2006 - Ann Hetzel Gunkel
agunkel@colum.edu