Open University: Food and Culture, spring 2026
- Date:
- 23.3.2026 - 7.5.2026
- Credits:
- 2 ECTS credits
- Location:
- Kuopio
- Continuous learning category:
- Social welfare and health care
- Teaching format:
- Contact teaching, Distance teaching
- Price:
- 40 € (VAT 0%)
Content
Food as part of self and cultural identity. Rituals and beliefs related to food. Food and social change. Examples on anthropological and sociological approaches on food and food culture.
Learning outcomes
The student can explain how food reflects culture and social structure. The student can explain how food is part of identity. The student can give examples on anthropological and sociological approaches on food and food habits.
Study methods:
Lectures 4 h, practical exercise 2 h, seminar 8 h, group work 25 h, independent study 15 h. Essay, seminar presentation. There is compulsory attendance in seminars and exercises. Open university students can participate the exercise and seminars online.
Lectures:
23.03.2026 14.00 - 16.00 (MS303, Kuopio)
30.03.2026 09.00 - 11.00 (MS305, Kuopio)
Exercises:
20.04.2026 09.00 - 11.00 (MS305, Kuopio)
Seminar:
07.05.2026 12.00 - 15.00 (MS305, Kuopio)
Study materials:
Anderson E.N. Everyone Eats. Understanding Food and Culture. New York, USA: New York University Press, 2014.
Web-based material
Evaluation:
Course is evaluated as Pass/Fail. Essay and seminar presentation are evaluated. Threshold for passing the course is 50%. Improving the grade can be done once. Teacher will assign an assignment to improve the grade.
Prerequisites
Principles of Nutrition or some basic course in nutrition
Teacher: Senior University Lecturer Arja Lyytinen
This price holds for the academic year 2025–2026.
For more information on study fees and payment and cancellation terms, please see: Registration, study fees and right to study | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi).
The length of a study right is determined by the length of the study unit so that it covers all teaching and exams. If the study unit has continuous registration, the study right is from 1.8. to 30.7.
Literature acquisition costs and borrowing fees are not included in the tuition fee.
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