Gastronomy

MLA in Gastronomy

A unique, multidisciplinary program, the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Gastronomy encompasses the arts, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences. Students in the program examine the role of food in historical and contemporary societies from a variety of perspectives—gaining a holistic view of the impact of food, food science, and nutrition on world civilization.

The Gastronomy program promotes scholarship about food by drawing from the diverse resources and expertise of a variety of Boston University faculty members, academic departments, visiting faculty, and industry professionals. The program offers special emphasis on experiential learning through hands-on culinary arts laboratories and wine studies courses. The interplay of reading, research, and writing about food—as well as exploring food through the senses—offers exceptional range and depth to food studies at Boston University.

Concentrations

The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Gastronomy offers concentrations in Business, Communication, Food Policy, and History & Culture.

The Business Concentration is ideal for students who are interested in pursuing a career that joins food and commerce. Courses in this concentration develop the managerial, financial, marketing, and gastronomic skills needed for a successful career.

The Communication Concentration offers a critical analysis of food and culture in print, film, photography, television, the visual arts, and digital media. Courses examine the portrayal of food in media, past and present, with a hands-on approach to writing and communications.

The Food Policy Concentration combines the study of food history and culture with an activist’s dedication to changing the world, providing the social-scientific background to influence and direct public food policy—particularly in the areas of nutrition, food security, community development, and environmental sustainability.

The History & Culture Concentration explores the many facets of food across cultures over time. Through analysis and critical thinking, students will gain the research and writing skills necessary to synthesize information, providing valuable life and career skills in a variety of fields.

Admissions Information

The Gastronomy program maintains a rolling admissions policy with no absolute deadlines. Applicants are admitted on the basis of academic transcripts, academic and personal references, and an essay. Standardized admissions tests, such as the GRE, are not required. Candidates for admission must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Students may take up to 8 credits of approved, graduate-level coursework prior to matriculation in the MLA in Gastronomy program. An average grade of B– must be maintained to satisfy the degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

A total of 42 credits is required. Students must complete the Core Courses, their chosen concentration courses, and electives, as follows:

Required Core Courses (five courses/18 credits)

  • MET ML 622 Survey of the History of Food
  • MET ML 641 Anthropology of Food
  • MET ML 701 Understanding Food: Theory and Methodology
  • MET ML 715 Experiencing Food through the Senses
  • MET ML 800 Final Project (2 cr)

A thesis option is available for qualified students.

Business Concentration

In addition to the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Gastronomy Core Courses, students pursuing the Business Concentration must complete an additional 24 credits as follows:

Business Concentration Requirements (two courses/8 credits)

  • MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
  • MET ML 692 Evaluating and Developing Markets for Cultural Tourism

Electives (four courses/16 credits)

Students may select from the Gastronomy electives listed below, or choose approved electives from other schools and colleges at Boston University.

Communication Concentration

In addition to the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Gastronomy Core Courses, students pursuing the Communication Concentration must complete an additional 24 credits as follows:

Communication Concentration Requirements (two courses/8 credits)

  • MET ML 671 Food and the Visual Arts
  • MET ML 681 Food Writing for Print Media

Electives (four courses/16 credits)

Students may select from the Gastronomy electives listed below, or choose approved electives from other schools and colleges at Boston University.

Food Policy Concentration

In addition to the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Gastronomy Core Courses, students pursuing the Food Policy Concentration must complete an additional 24 credits as follows:

Food Policy Concentration Requirement (two courses/8 credits)

  • MET ML 720 Food Policy and Food Systems
  • MET ML 651 Geography of Hunger and Poverty or MET ML 702 Concepts in Economics and Political Dimensions of Food Production or MET ML 709 Sociology of Food

Electives (four courses/16 credits)

Students may select from the Gastronomy electives listed below, or choose approved electives from other schools and colleges at Boston University.

History & Culture Concentration

In addition to the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in Gastronomy Core Courses, students pursuing the History & Culture Concentration must complete an additional 24 credits as follows:

History & Culture Concentration Requirements (two courses/8 credits)

  • MET ML 621 Researching Food History
  • MET ML 714 Food and Ethnography

Electives (four courses/16 credits)

Students may select from the Gastronomy electives listed below, or choose approved electives from other schools and colleges at Boston University.

Gastronomy Electives

  • MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
  • MET ML 589 Nature’s Past: Histories of Environment and Society
  • MET ML 611 Archaeology of Food in Ancient Times
  • MET ML 621 Researching Food History
  • MET ML 631 Culture and Cuisine
  • MET ML 632 History of Wine
  • MET ML 633 Readings in Food History
  • MET ML 643 Special Topic: Food, Culture, and Exchange—the Economic Anthropology of Food
  • MET ML 651 Geography of Hunger and Poverty
  • MET ML 652 A Comprehensive Study of Wine, Spirits, and Beer
  • MET ML 653 Mastering Wine: Skill Development
  • MET ML 654 The Wine Trade: Global, National, and Local Perspectives
  • MET ML 671 Food and the Visual Arts
  • MET ML 672 Food in New Media: Digital Approaches
  • MET ML 681 Food Writing for Print Media
  • MET ML 691 Nutrition and Diet
  • MET ML 692 Evaluating and Developing Markets for Cultural Tourism
  • MET ML 700 Laboratory in the Culinary Arts
  • MET ML 702 Concepts in Economics and Political Dimensions of Food Production
  • MET ML 704 Cookbooks and History
  • MET ML 705 Artisan Cheeses of the World
  • MET ML 706 Special Topic: Representations of Food and Gender in the Media
  • MET ML 707 Directed Study
  • MET ML 708 Directed Study
  • MET ML 709 Sociology of Food
  • MET ML 711 Special Topic: The Many Meanings of Meat
  • MET ML 712 Special Topic: Sociology of Food and Labor
  • MET ML 713 Agricultural History: A Survey of Agriculture from the Prehistoric Period to the Modern Period
  • MET ML 714 Food and Ethnography
  • MET ML 720 Food Policy and Food Systems

Students may substitute courses from other departments or disciplines with approval of the program advisor.

Gastronomy courses are designed primarily for students matriculated in that program, but are open to other qualified students with stamped approval.

Academic Standing

All students in the Master of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy degree program must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 to remain in good standing and to graduate. Cumulative grade point averages below 3.0 will result in a student being placed on academic probation. In addition, no grade below B– can be applied toward the degree.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Gastronomy Office, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-9852; email: gastrmla@bu.edu.