Food and Culture: Historical Context

Background
Food is universal and can be used as a tool to express our culture or to learn about
other cultures. Many of us might say our cultural background or ethnicity highly
influences our food choices. For this assignment you will be exploring the typical diet of
your ancestors in comparison to your own diet today.
Note: If your history has a mixed ethnic/cultural background, choose one to discuss for
this assignment; preferably the one that you feel most connected to.
Assignment checklist:
1. Essay format with a brief introduction and conclusion
2. Typed with 12-point font, double spaced in APA format, saved as a Word or pdf
document
3. Include your name, student number, course code and section, assignment title
professor’s name, date
4. Citations, including in-text citations and reference list in APA format
Assignment Instructions
Compare and contrast the typical diet of your ancestors in the early 1800’s to that of
your own diet today.
In an essay format, respond to the questions outlined in the three sections below. In
addition to your responses to the questions, your essay should include an introductory
and concluding paragraph.
You can organize the content of your essay as you choose. This means the questions
do not need to be responded to in the order they appear. The content and ideas should
flow in a logical order while ensuring each of the questions are addressed.
I - Historical Context
NOTE: in-text citations and references are required for this section – even if your source
is a family member. In this case, the type of reference is considered “Personal
Communication” in APA. Please see the Seneca Libraries APA Citation Guide for
information about this type of reference and other in-text citations and references.
Using reliable academic or expert sources, respond to the following:
1. In the early 1800’s what country would your ancestors have lived in?
2. What would their typical (day to day) diet include at that time?
3. What would a typical family or cultural celebration be at that time? In your own
words, describe the details of the celebration, including a description of the meal
(or food) associated with the celebration and any symbolic meaning the meal
has.
II - Compared to Today
Consider your own life in today’s context and respond the following:
1. What country were you born in and what country do you currently live in?
2. What does your typical (day to day) diet include?
3. Compare your typical diet with that of your ancestors – what are the similarities
and differences?
4. In your opinion, what do you think accounts for these similarities and differences
in your typical diets? This discussion should include at least three points with
explanations.
5. Do you still have the same family or cultural event celebration that was
celebrated in the past (yes/no)? Based on your answer to the question, respond
to one of the following:
i. If yes, discuss the similarities and differences with this celebration and
what you think accounts for these similarities and/or differences
ii. If no, discuss why you think the celebration has not continued through the
generations.
III – Additional Insights
1. In your opinion, what do the differences and similarities you discussed say about
the overall relationship between food and culture/ethnicity? For example: Is it
static or dynamic (does it stay the same or change over time)? Do you think our
history influences our present-day food choices? Do you think there would there
be more similarities than differences if you compared today to 50 years ago,
rather than 200 years ago? Provide at least three different insights with
explanations.
Total word count: 600 to 1200 words
Do not include the questions in your paper. This is an academic paper and is to be
written in paragraph, essay-style format with a brief introduction and conclusion.
Notes:
• This discussion is expected to be written in your own words with your own
opinion and ideas on the topic
• Portions of this assignment are self-reflective and based on your own lived
experience and as such, it is expected that you will use the pronoun “I” in this
paper
• Some research about typical food consumed and celebrations from the early
1800’s is required and as such, it is imperative that in-text citations and a
reference list are provided, including “Personal Communications” if applicable
• The paper will be evaluated for clarity, depth of reflection, insight, and critical
thinking
Meaningful discussion papers may demonstrate (but are not limited to) the following:
• Clearly expressed and organized ideas that are well-supported and relevant to
the content/topic
• Depth of reflection, personal insight, and evidence of critical thinking
• Connections between your life, previous knowledge and experience, and/or other
course content
• Relevant examples from your own life experience
Citations
Although this discussion paper is expected to be in your own writing and based on your
own opinion, you will need to consult outside sources, specifically for the historical
context. You may also choose to reference some of the course materials or other
sources to support your points. Since these sources help to form your discussion and
are not your own ideas, they are considered outside sources and therefore must be
acknowledged with in-text citations and a reference list in APA format - even when
writing in your own words.
In cases where course materials are used as a source, cite the original source of
information, not your professor or lecture slides or the modules. In this course, the links
to the original sources are included in the lecture slides as well as the Weekly
Resources section of Blackboard.
In accordance with Seneca’s Academic Policy, should in-text citations and a reference
list be omitted, the assignment will be graded as 0, until further review by the Academic
Integrity Committee. See Seneca Libraries APA Citation Guide for information about
how to create in-text citations and a works cited/reference list.