HI 245 Munch: A History of Food
Food. It has the power to conjure comforting
memories of past meals, of loved ones, and of
travels to places near and far. It is also, at the
very least, necessary for survival. Writ large,
however, food is about so much more than
sustaining life. What people eat, how they eat it,
and with whom they eat it are windows into the
societies, cultures, values, and histories of all
people.
This course examines this history of food,
beginning with our earliest human ancestors and
culminating with the questions of food security
and food equity that exist in the twenty-first
century. Along the way, we will consider the many
ways the study of food and foodways informs
history in complex yet fascinating ways, as well
as engage in considerations of what food might
tell you about your own family's history. Finally,
from time to time I will prepare food for the
class, because after all this is the focus of our
work as an intellectual community. Our final class
project will be a meal, with lively conversation
enhanced by food and drink.
Offered
Odd Year Spring Semester