History of Food

Catalog description

This course examines the history of food and its historical origins. Students will examine the food traditions of ancient civilizations and develop an understanding of why certain ingredients and processes are used. This course is to help the student understand where food originated and the path that it took to get where we are today. Understanding where food and culinary came from is important in understanding the evolution of the culinary movement and the tradition behind it. Culinary is ever-changing. This course also examines the role of food in shaping world history from ancient times through the modern era. Focused attention is given to crucial transitions in food history such as the agricultural revolution, the Columbian Exchange, and globalization. Using the lens of food history and culinary cultures this course will examine the connections and exchanges within historical events and related issues such as empire, migration, race, class, gender, religion, power, identity, and the environment.