The study of foodways—the cultural, social, and economic practices related to the production, distribution, and consumption of food—affords many and varied insights into the human condition. The uses and meanings of food contribute to the identity of persons and groups; food production, exchange, and consumption structure relationships and power within and across social boundaries; and the examination of food systems reveals much about our attitudes toward and impact on the natural environment.
Because faculty in Anthropology offer courses on a wide range of courses on food-related topics–including the relation of food to the senses, sustainability, climate change, and migration among others–Anthropology majors have the opportunity to complete a concentration in Food Studies. We also encourage our majors to explore other approaches to food studies through additional courses from the departments of English, Botany, and East Asian Studies. The Food Studies concentration also pairs well with the Food Pathway, in which Anthropology faculty play a key role.