Vietnamese Foodways: History, Identity, and Globalization.

Catalog description

Vietnamese cuisine is one of the world's most celebrated culinary traditions. This course explores Vietnamese foodways as a lens for understanding history, culture, migration, and globalization. Students examine how geography, dynasties, colonialism, war, and diaspora shaped Vietnamese cuisine, from rice agriculture and ritual foods to iconic dishes such as pho and banh mi. Through readings, films, and experiential learning - including cooking labs, restaurant ethnography, food memory interviews, and digital mapping - students investigate how food expresses identity, power, and cultural exchange. Vietnamese cuisine serves as a case study for exploring broader questions about culture, globalization, and everyday life.