Food Report $40

Food Culture Research Paper

NuFS 144

Fall 2016

Due Date:

Research Paper: 11/16/16

For this project, you will research a food that is common to many cultures OR a cultural celebration featuring symbolic foods. Topics will be chosen from the approved list below. You will present a history of the food or cultural celebration from an anthropological/historical point of view. For a food topic, you will describe traditional uses in the cultures where it is used, including symbolic uses of the food, historical importance, and any restrictions on the use of the food. For a celebration, you will include discussion of associated symbolic food(s) and their meaning in the context of the celebration, and typical preparations. You will also discuss changing uses of the food or celebration in the modern world due to immigration and globalization.

The paper will be minimum 4-5 pages, double-spaced, in length and must include a list of at least 4 references in APA format. The references should be publications from the library, Encyclopedias, Journals, books and Magazines/Newspapers. In-paper citations should follow the same approved format (APA). Turnitin.com originality score of 10% or less is expected, as you will be allowed to resubmit your paper.

Cultural Celebration Topics

1. Lunar New Year

2. Day of the Dead

3. Christmas

4. Thanksgiving

5. Diwali

6. Seder

7. Hanukkah

8. Epiphany/Three Kings Day

9. Naw Rouz

10. Ramadan

11. Easter

12. Autumn Moon Festival

13. Weddings

14. Birthdays

15. Others with instructor approval

Food Topics

1. Wine

2. Beer

3. Rum

4. Whiskey

5. Hot Peppers

6. Rice

7. Corn

8. Cassava

9. Sugar

10. Chocolate

11. Coffee

12. Tea

13. Honey

14. Cinnamon

15. Cheese

16. Noodles

17. Bread

18. Soy

19. Fruit (choose one)

20. Tomatoes

21. Garlic

22. Butter

23. Ice cream

24. Basil

25. Thyme

26. Ketchup

27. Olive oil

28. Ginger

29. Peanuts

30. Vanilla

31. Potatoes

32. Others with instructor approval

Food Culture Research Paper Grading Rubric

All papers must be submitted to Assignments/Canvas (plagiarism detection will be activated).

Note: This paper is a research paper and should be written as an objective presentation of the information you have found in researching the topic. Do not include personal opinions or preferences (write in 3rd person only).

Grading Rubric – Food Culture Research Paper	Points
History of the food or celebration (where, when was it first used or celebrated; how did it spread; other anthropological/historical details)	/25
Description of traditional uses in cultures where it is used/celebrated (for a food, at least 3 examples of uses of the food in different cultures: preparation methods, traditional dishes, etc; for a celebration, description of the celebration and special foods associated with it)	/20
Symbolic uses and/or restrictions on the use of the food or discussion of symbolic foods associated with a celebration (3 or more examples) and/or health implications (for a food)	/10
Current usage or changes in how/where for celebration (include changes due to immigration/globalization or other, use by immigrants to US)	/10
References (4 references from reputable sources) and proper citations/reference list	/15
Quality of writing (grammar spelling, topic organization)	/20
Total	100