Food In/As Culture: Perspectives on Greek Culinary Traditions (Honors Course)

Also listed as HSS 2218

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

An interdisciplinary treatment of food as key element of political, social, and cultural dimensions of Greek experience. Combining theoretical and methodological approaches in archaeology and anthropology, and focusing on the Greek context, the course guides students through an exploration of culinary practices from the prehistoric to the present days, placing emphasis on food as a sign of ethnic, gender, religious, local, trans-local and multicultural identities. Short field trips in the city center and museums unveil the long culinary history of the city of Athens, highlighting multicultural influences in the development of Greece’s distinctive culinary culture.

RATIONALE:

In the past few decades, food studies has offered an alternative view on human behavior, by furthering the understanding of the relationship between nature and culture, rural and urban spaces, national identity and transcultural influences, as well as inclusion and exclusion practices. Food and culinary preferences offer an advantageous perspective in analyzing social and cultural changes, evolutionary patterns and political structures. This course examines food and drinking cultures in Greece as a total social phenomenon, approaching the subject from methodological standpoints that combine the tools of archaeology and anthropology, to present students with a wealth of information and insights into the significance of food practices in the context of social and political life, as well as in the context of cultural expression.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Identify connections between Greek food culture and social, political, and cultural aspects of Greek life across the ages;

2. Relate Greek culinary traditions and practices to the construction of national selfhood and identity;

3. Identify multicultural influences that have informed the development of Greek food culture across the ages;

4. Discuss Greek food culture in terms of how it reflects ethnic, gender, and religious values;

5. Examine the ways in which Greek food culture has been represented in ancient artefacts, literary works and films.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:

In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the seminar will employ the following tools:

• Textual analysis, class discussion, and group work during class meetings;
• Active student-centered teaching approach;
• Individual student presentations;
• Extensive instructor feedback on presentations and essays;
• Individualized assistance during office hours for additional reading, presentations and essays;
• Film and Documentary screenings;
• Other relevant educational material placed on reserve in the library.