How Food Makes the Human Body

This course examines molecules as the fundamental
building blocks of the human body. The course
begins with the basics of atoms and chemical
bonds. You will then learn how molecules are put
together to form basic nutrients which are the
building blocks of our food and, of course, the
building blocks of our bodies. Along the way, you
will see how food preparation can alter how these
molecules interact with each other and within your
body. You will explore the science and politics of
diet, obesity and their relationship to public
health. We will consider how various nutrients and
food items went from popular culture/nutrition
"hero" to "super villain" (and the reverse, in
some cases). We will look at the causes of these
shifts and how culture/society went with or
against solid scientific evidence. The class will
take part in critically engaged explorations of
diet with perspectives that combine biology and
sociology. You will be able to apply this level of
criticality to your own decisions about nutrition
and food. The last segment of the course combines
what was learned about molecules to the study of
muscle contraction, and to our senses (taste,
touch, sight, smell and vision). You will gain an
appreciation for how molecules work together to
allow humans, or any animal, to experience the
world. Course content is primarily delivered
through lectures but there will be many hands-on
demonstrations, some involving food and some
experiments that can be done in the kitchen. The
main assignments include a critical analysis,
involving primary scientific literature, of diet
and human health. There is also a final project
where students will present and critique what they
have learned. The format of the final project may
be through text and/or their preferred métier
practice.