This interdisciplinary course will provide students with an introduction to Italian culture presented through an exploration of one of Italy's most appreciated aspects around the world: its food. A major focus will be on understanding the extraordinary significance of food in the definition of "Italianness" and the influence of gastronomy in the creation of national identity. Some of the questions that will guide our exploration will be: how has Italian cuisine changed from antiquity through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, from the political unification in 1861 till today? How do national identity and national cuisine relate? How can food become a tool of political power? How do different products, preparation methods, and consumption patterns, determine the Italian approach towards food that has become renowned (and often misrepresented) all over the world?
Students will learn through a combination of lectures, class discussions, presentations, hands-on experiences, and interactions with representatives of the Italian food scene in St. Louis. Texts will include excerpts from literary works (such as Boccaccio's Decameron and Collodi's Pinocchio), academic articles, food magazines and blogs, cookbooks, interviews, and films/documentaries. Students will have the opportunity to increase their vocabulary, review and practice major grammar structures, and improve their conversational and presentational skills in Italian. The course will be taught in Italian. Prereq: Italian 201D
Course Attributes: AS HUM; AS LCD; AS SC; EN H; FA HUM; AR HUM
