Anthropology of Meat: Why Humans Consume Other Animals Why are some animals taboo to eat? Can it be ethical to eat meat (and how is “ethical” defined)? In this course, we will explore meat eating practices around the world, focusing on issues like sustainability, race, and gender. Key texts include Nadasdy's 2007 article "The Gift in the Animal," Boisseron's Afro-Dog (2018), Adams' The Sexual Politics of Meat (1990), and Ko's Racism as Zoological Witchcraft (2019). Through a variety of texts, films, and guest speakers--including food discrimination lawyer Thulasi Raj and Vermont slaughterer Mary Lake--we will explore our own relationships to meat eating, while questioning what it means to be human. This course does not seek to persuade you towards or away from vegetarianism; all experiences are welcome.  Amanda Kaminsky is a PhD Candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of Michigan and an alumna of Middlebury College (Class of 2013, B.A. Chinese).

Amanda Kaminsky

Reviews and ratings for Amanda Kaminsky at Middlebury College.Amanda Kaminsky teaches Anthropology of Meat and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Amanda Kaminsky good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This course was pretty chill, and went over some interesting topics about food and the history of eating meat. There was a field trip component to a local venison farm, which was very interesting and insightful. Evaluation is mainly based on papers, with a larger research paper due at the end of the of the term. Grading was fair, and the professor was nice as well. 

This class was great. A reading and short discussion post was due before each class, which was then further discussed in class. Readings were interesting and not too lengthy. There were two papers and one presentation. Overall, really good class.

The content of this course was interesting. However, I don't think it was presented in the most digestible way. It was clear that Prof. Kaminsky is very knowledgeable and passionate however for someone who hadn't taken an anthro class before, this turned me away. 