Overview
There are three key themes we will study closely in the course: ancient trade contacts, gender-based food marketing and nutritional challenges for low income groups. Each theme though seemingly different will help us to identify different processes of globalization that are sometimes spontaneous and frequently forced. We begin our journey on the Silk Road exploring the bazaars of Central Asia and looking at evolution of cuisine that we still love and enjoy. After that, we look at the growth of baby food and how despite resistance it became a global commodity. Finally, we focus on meals of low-income groups, immigrants in order to look at food insecurity and lack of nutritional choices. The course is divided in three modules, thematically.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will have learned to:
- Identify and describe the political history of food and how food has contributed to hegemonic rule and struggles over distribution.
- Discuss and explain the ways in which food shapes major cultural changes
- Research specific commodities, outline, and evaluate their roles in globalization.
- Evaluate how migration, movements, and birth of new technology were solely caused by demands for certain food items.
- Analyze “hegemonic contests” fought over food by women, the poor, and the racial minorities.