Understanding Food Literacy: Navigating Nutrition in Modern Society

Lecture in Korean

Family dinner. Photo by fauxels on Pexels (2019).

Ju Han, Associate Professor, Department of Home Economics Education, Kangwon National University

Thursday, February 12, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Bunche Hall, Rm 10383

Nutrition science is surprisingly young—the first vitamin was isolated less than 100 years ago. Since then, dietary recommendations have shifted dramatically, from low-fat to low-carb and various other paradigms. This talk introduces the concept of "food literacy" as a framework for understanding and navigating nutritional information in contemporary society.

The presentation examines three dimensions of food literacy: functional, interactive, and critical. It explores how cooking shaped human evolution, why communal eating remains significant for social well-being, and how disparities in food access reflect broader societal inequalities. Through discussion of these topics, this talk aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what food literacy means in modern contexts.

Special Instructions
Event is exclusive to CKS Visiting Scholars, graduate/undergraduate students, and faculty

Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies