Anne Murcott Libri

This textbook equips students with the ability to analyze and think critically about contemporary food topics. A thorough introduction to the sociology of food and eating, the book also acts as a primer to the discipline of sociology more generally.Chapters start with a 'common sense' assumption about food which students frequently encounter in their own lives or in the mass media. Topics include family meals, ethnic cuisines, cooking skills and convenience foods, eating out, food waste, and 'overpackaging'. Anne Murcott shows how systematic academic research approaches can allow students to move beyond 'conventional wisdoms' to examine sociological perspectives on food and eating. Key sociological concerns such as class, gender, age, ethnicity, power and identity are also introduced, accompanied by a wide range of examples from around the globe. By the end, readers will be able to think more critically and to apply sociological approaches to questions about food and society.Introducing the Sociology of Food and Eating is an essential introductory textbook for students in sociology and food studies. It provides readers with a solid basis for success in their studies - and with a new understanding of their own attitudes to food and eating.

The book explores significant advancements in sociology over the past fifty years, with each chapter authored by a recognized expert in their respective field. It delves into theoretical, methodological, and substantive developments, providing insights into how various areas of study have evolved. This comprehensive examination offers a deep understanding of the discipline's progression and the contributions of leading sociologists.

Exploring the motivations behind dietary choices, this book addresses the pivotal question of why we eat what we eat, particularly in the context of the 1990s. It stems from the UK Economic and Social Research Council's comprehensive research program, "The Nation's Diet," which encompasses various disciplines such as economics, psychology, anthropology, sociology, education, and media studies. By examining these diverse perspectives, the book aims to provide a deeper understanding of the factors influencing national eating habits.

An essential guide to constructing coherent and powerful arguments, using real examples from student work and demonstrating, step-by-step, how to read critically, write the opening paragraphs of an essay, provide evidence in the middle and construct punchy conclusions. -- .

"The first social history of food packaging"--