Food and Global History

Catalog description

Why was the tomato incorporated into Italian cuisine in the seventeenth century? What was Indian cuisine like before the Portuguese introduced chili peppers in the 16th century? How did the industrialization of food production in the modern period change taste? This course will explore global history through the lens of food staples and cuisines. By analyzing the role of food in major global historical developments such as colonization, slavery, and industrialization, students will explore novel ways of historical thinking, gain insight into the many consequences of historical events, and will uncover the deeper histories and contexts of everyday foods.