Module description
This is an interdisciplinary module that examines the philosophical discussion as well as cinematic portrayal of food and food production, distribution, and consumption, exploring a theoretical relationship between food, film and philosophy. The use of food as an analogy in advancing a philosophical argument is well known, exemplified by the famous wine example in the Scottish philosopher David Hume's 'Of the Standard of Taste'. The module begins with the topic of 'Food As' -- food as analogy, food as art, food as metaphor and finally as orientation. We further study the relationship between food and film movement; the labelling of 'slow' cinema within contemporary art cinema has also been inspired by the slow food movement, which counters corporatized patterns of food consumption. Culinary culture and business have become central objects and topics in cultural studies and phenomenological approach to cinema, especially in the course of discussing ethnicity and personal identity. Informed by local food movement and gender discourses within culinary business, the module will critically engage with how they facilitate and form a sense of cultural or personal memory and identity. The module will conclude with philosophical discussions of 'the rights' (not) to eat: cannibalism, vegetarianism and food traceability
Assessment details
- Participation (15%)
- Exercise (short essay or audio-visual work) (25%)
- 3000 word essay (60%)
Educational aims & objectives
In this module, students will
- examine the philosophical discussion and cinematic representation of food and food consumption.
- understand the key debates on art cinema aesthetics, food, and philosophy.
- acquire a proficiency in cultural studies and phenomenological approaches to cinema, food, and questions of cultural memory.
- learn key transferable skills through film analysis, philosophical reasoning and scholarly research skills.
- acquire a proficiency in oral and written presentations
- acquire a proficiency in with visual and moving image media.
Learning outcomes
After the completion of the module, students will have:
- acquired an understanding of the theoretical relationship between food, film and philosophy.
- understood the key debates on art cinema aesthetics, food, and philosophy.
- acquired a proficiency in cultural studies and phenomenological approaches to cinema, food and questions of cultural memory.
- learned key transferable skills through film analysis, philosophical reasoning and scholarly research skills.
- acquired a proficiency in oral and written presentations.
- acquired a proficiency in with visual and moving image media.