University of Portland Autobiography of Food Paper

ENV 160Alattar
The Artist: Autobiography of Food (200 pts)
In this assignment you will choose a food item in which the story of your specific food system expertise
culminates. For example, if you chose to focus on declining fisheries, you might choose the cod fish. If you
chose to focus on injustices faced by tipped workers, you might choose the hamburger or another
common diner entree. You will then write an “autobiographical” piece on that food item that brings to life
your food system topic. Your autobiographical essay will be written in the first person in the voice of the
food item. You will incorporate your scientific research into this paper.
You will also present a “portrait” of the food item. This will either be an artistic rendition or purposeful
photograph of the food item, but it will be of your own production. Consider including contextual
information in the “portrait”. It is often said “A picture is worth a thousand words.” How can you produce
a portrait that tells a story?
What will I turn in? Total points (200 pts).
1) Choose your food item and explain how it embodies your term topic (DUE week 6 in reflection).
2) Submit a full outline of your paper (not including portrait) (DUE week 7) (50 pts).
3) Submit your completed paper (including portrait; see below) (DUE week 10) (100 pts). Please be
creative in your style and presentation of your food item. I will be looking for you to cover these topics in
sufficient detail:
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How, where, and by whom your food item is seeded and grown.
How and how far does it travel to reach a plate? Who tends to eat it?
Context around your food issue, and the social, economic, and political systems related to it.
The importance of your food item to the issue.
The impact of your issue and your food item on social, political, environmental, and economic
systems.
Your personal storytelling style.
Include in-text citations throughout the text and in bibliography form at the end of the paper (APA
or MLA)
Note: I will be grading this essay based on the depth and quality of the narrative it presents, not its length.
But it will likely be between 3-6 pages, single spaced.
4) Submit your food “portrait” (DUE week 10 with your completed paper) (50 pts). This “portrait” can be
any visual art form, like drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, etc. Within your portrait you will
consider how to visually represent your food item and the story it tells. Your artwork should include:
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The “portrait” itself – This should be your own artwork.
A short description of your art and what it means (don’t forget this!)
Note: Please include a picture of your “portrait” and your text description at the end of the essay you
submit. ALSO, be prepared to share your portrait during class on week 10.