Changing Food Rules in Kitchener-Waterloo
Abstract
In North American society, culture is following dead end paths by embracing individualism and a work culture that is focused on money rather than meaning. Michel Desjardins and The Working Centre both identified this malaise. Over the years they traveled a similar pedagogical journey, re-enlivening an understanding of food, education and community. Michel gave his students opportunities to move beyond their formed cultural perspectives to see a wider world with brighter colours. He asked them to consider why North American culture is restrictive when it comes to sharing food compared to other cultures. How can new teaching forms generate alternative perspectives for students? This essay shows how the joint Wilfrid Laurier University-Working Centre Community Engagement Option dovetailed as pedagogy to mix experience with analysis. The results show the potential of using education for meaningful cultural change.
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DOI: 10.1558/rsth.37576
References
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