Discussion Forums (10%):
Students will post to prompts assigned on “Discussions” on Canvas, with one main post, your opinion and reaction to a reading/topic/film, in addition to a response/reaction to a classmate’s work. Deadlines will be posted on Canvas Assignments. Unexcused late submissions will be reduced by one full letter grade per day late.
Short Papers on Films and Readings (20%):
Students will write short reflections on readings, paired up with our course films. Details will be posted on Canvas. Upload your assignment to Canvas as either .docx or .pdf. Unexcused late submissions will be reduced by one full letter grade per day late. If you have difficulties with writing, please sign up to see our 2 writing assistants. They will guide you on how to structure a good paper. Sign-up sheet will be posted on Canvas.
Small Group Research (10%):
Teams of students will be assigned certain key ingredients in Palestinian and Israeli cuisines and research the following questions with the guidance of the course instructors:
-What is the history of the ingredient?
-What dishes are they used in? And by what ethnic groups (Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, Ethiopian-Jews; Palestinian-Arab Muslims and/or Christians, Bedouins, Druze).
-Visit a local Middle Eastern or specialized grocery that carries some of these food products: Sultan Bey on N. Craig Street, Oakland (Middleastern & Turkish); Salim’s in the Strip District (Middleastern); Murray Kosher on Murray Ave. Sq. Hill (carries Israeli and kosher Jewish products and baked goods).
-Cook at home with these ingredients after having researched them and having conducted the interviews.
We will later come back together to examine which ingredients are common to both Israeli and Palestinian cuisine, which are different, and how are they used in each if common?
-Are these ingredients used in dishes contested or disputed within the context of the Israeli/Palestinian political conflict? (Falafel, Hummus etc.)
- How have these ingredients been shaped by: historical developments; ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds; religion; family practices and traditions; climate change and crops; and how these factors influence the use of these ingredients in Palestinian or Israeli cuisines?
Final Group project (30%):
The final group project consists of a 10-20 minutes collaborative, narrated Google Slides or PowerPoint presentation, that you present in finals week. The project will reflect your cumulative work, including papers, and the small group research, and will include data collected and visuals. The link to your project must be uploaded to the "Final Project" assignment on Canvas. Details on the project will be provided on Canvas.