A Food Citizens Methodology Workshop: Social Kitchen for Collective Wellness

Course Description

Summary

This class will investigate meaningful pedagogical approaches to Food Studies. Building on the various “Social Kitchen” activities previously pursued at Bennington College through classes, FWT initiatives, internships, work study, extracurricular activities and independent research undertaken by Bennington College students,  we will reexamine the “Social Kitchen” space and its function as a pivotal hub for cultural expression, collaboration, social cohesion, and collective wellness. This class is primarily designed for former “Social Kitchen” participants to engage in the assessment and archiving of “Social Kitchen” academic contents and experiential learning. It also focuses on researching art collectives, contemporary civic engagement practices, and other non-institutional models developed by creative practitioners and activists, which understand food as a conduit to undertake social, political and cultural identity issues and to enhance their community cohesion. 

Bearing in mind that cooking is both knowledge and embodied practice, this class will engage in critical food studies beyond the confines of academic textbooks and encourage students to practice in-situ learning outside of the classroom. The methodology workshop provides opportunities for considering food as a pedagogical tool to practice transdisciplinary research methods while strengthening a sense of self, building awareness or affirming identity. It aims to develop an unconventional syllabus for fostering a sense of belonging and cultural resilience. 

This class requires a high level of commitment to engage fully in collaborative projects and related participatory activities. Flexible thinking and adaptability to challenging situations will be needed for this course. Students who haven’t previously participated in the Bennington College “Social Kitchen” are welcome to join this collaborative learning.