For this 1st assignment, we will be analyzing cross-cultural variation in conceptions of well-being, and opportunities and constraints towards advancing it through the food system. You will be creating either an infographic or children’s picture book and providing an accompanying short (max 3 page) reflective paper.
Drawing upon at least three articles we have read in class, please create either an infographic or a short children’s book, that addresses the following two broad set of questions.
- Description of the phenomena: What is well-being? What are at least two different cultural models of well-being, and how do their characteristics differ? How can understanding these cross-cultural differences improve one’s experience of well-being?
- Analysis of a food system problem and solutions: How does the contemporary food system result in challenges to well-being? What are some potential alternatives that grassroots social movements or other civil society actors have proposed to address this problem?
For the three page double-spaced essay, please narrate your finished product; walk us through your main arguments and how they tie together. Reflect on what you learned as you created your infographic/children’s book. Your essay should include the citations for the minimum three articles that you drew upon in your project; feel free to use the citation format from the syllabus.
Specific guidelines for the children’s book option:
You may either use a computer program to create your children’s book, or create a physical hardcopy and take photos/scan the pages. If you chose to make a digital version, you might use Microsoft PowerPoint or a similar program to create your children’s book. In this context, your PowerPoint slides will be the pages in your book so each “page” should include text (a part of the story) and a graphic/illustration/picture/map, etc.
Text: Use a standard font for your text like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial.
Graphics/illustrations/picture/map, etc.: Create original graphics using a graphics program like Publisher, draw original graphics/illustrations and then scan the images, search the internet for pictures, use pictures of your family/friends/events from your past. If you use an image from an internet source, be sure to cite the source of the image on the PowerPoint slide with the image.
Don’t forget to give your book a front cover with the title and author’s/illustrator’s name (you!) on it.
Your book should have a minimum of 10 pages and no more than 25 pages.
General guidelines for Infographic:
An infographic is a highly visual representation of information, data, or content that is intended to quickly communicate information to a reader. Smaller than but similar to a poster, an Infographic often communicates a central argument, topic, or thesis focusing on the overall patterns, themes, or salient points.
An infographic is often designed using graphic design software. Photoshop, PowerPoint, and Word can be used, however, new online digital tools for Infographic creation are increasingly popular. Examples include Canva, Piktochart, or Infogr.am.
Effective infographics tell a story. There is an introduction, main argument, and conclusion (Canva, 2017). Each element (text, graphics, data representations, etc.) meaningfully contributes to communicating an accurate and concise presentation of information. As a quick visual representation, Gillicano and colleagues (2014) suggest that an infographic is easily comprehended and read in less than a minute.
Your infographic should be one image/slide and include at minimum an Introduction, Central Argument, Conclusion, and References. Additional guidelines against which your infographic will be graded include:
Content: accurate and detailed information is provided and supports the thesis/argument/purpose
Focus: All content (visual and textual) concisely complements the purpose of the infographic
Visual Appeal: Fonts, colours, layouts, & visual elements meaningfully contribute to the infographic’s ability to convey the overall message
Argument: The infographic effectively informs and convinces the reader of its intended purpose
Organization: Information is systematically organized and supports readers’ comprehension of the main message
Citation: Full bibliographic citations are included for all sources referenced
Mechanics: The infographic is free of spelling or grammatical errors
General Writing Guidelines for Essay
- Times New Roman font
- Size 11 or 12 font
- 1 inch margins
- Follow the writing suggestions on the writing guide page.
- 3 pages double spaced
