English 176 - Food Politics

This course introduces students to college-level literary study through the lens of food politics. From “the lunchbox moment” in Asian American narratives to Pacific Islander palates shaped by histories of war and globalization, food pathways reveal that eating is more than a matter of nutritional intake or a matter of personal “taste.” Instead, eating and taste reflect complex histories of race, culture, and empire. The course will cover a range of literary texts and media, including cookbooks, novels, poetry, personal essays, podcasts, and advertisements. Through close reading and analytical writing, students will examine how narrative works in multiple genres reveal the relationship between culture and consumption. In addition to literary analysis, students will learn the fundamentals of rhetorical analysis and composition. Potential writers, culinary creators, and cultural producers may include Louis Chu. Mary HK Choi, Grace Cho, Kathy Jetñil -Kijiner, Jasmine Cho, Frankie Huang, and more. 

Limited to 18 students. Fall semester. Professor Saito.

How to handle overenrollment: open to all majors, with preference for first- and second-year students

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: close reading, literary and rhetorical analysis, detailed and personalized feedback on written work.