Sociology and History of Food

The curricular unit will be developed according to a theoretical model with moments of structured exposure of the contents and respective analysis and discussion or debate, as well as interrogative, interactive methodology and demonstration / exemplification of the same through its practical application in everyday situations and using, whenever justify videos, computer programs, professional tools. It also contemplates, and whenever the autonomous study is justified with research on the exposed contents and the reading and critical analysis of articles / texts.
Periodic evaluation: 2 evaluation moments – 1 written frequency (60%) and 1 work (40%), regarding the theoretical and practical matrix respectively. The final classification of the UC must be equal to or greater than 10 points and the classification of each of the evaluations cannot be less than 9 points.
Alternatively, the assessment may be carried out by a final written exam during the periods designated for that purpose

1. Understand Sociology as a science;
2. Recognize the main theoretical axes that structure the field of sociology;
3. Provide students with knowledge to understand the sociological context surrounding food;
4. Understand the evolution of Humanity’s eating practices from its origins to the present;
5. Recognize which social factors interfere with eating behavior;
6. Understand the food situation in Portugal and in the world;
7. Understand the eating patterns of consumer societies, their historical evolution and the sociological factors that contribute to food-borne pathologies

Introduction to Sociology
Object of study of social sciences
Synthesis of central concepts in sociology
Evolution of food – sociological context
Contribution of the history of food to the knowledge of human eating behavior
Food of Man in the Paleolithic, food transformations of the Neolithic.
The first civilizations and the characterization of their food patterns.
The historical circumstances that explain food changes during European expansion.
Man’s food in the Modern Era. The Industrial Revolution. The Scientific Revolution.
Food and Health Concepts
Ambivalences of Daily Food
Food modernity and its effects on health
The paradoxes of contemporary food
Obesity as a social construction
Obesity and the medicalization of daily food – sociological reflection.
Eating disorders
Food Risks and Fears

NAO