Interdisciplinary Arts 0209 - Farm to Tablet: Writing From the Gut

This is a creative writing workshop, ideal for both Div 1 and Div II students, with a focus on food-its making and consumption, culture and preservation. We'll read and write both fiction and non-fiction, with the purpose of exploring what we eat, with whom we eat, where it comes from, who has access to it, and what foods we've forgotten. All to better appreciate, in the words of environmental activist Vandana Shiva, "Eating as a conversation with other living beings." Students will be asked to incorporate research into their projects, and also fully embrace the revision process, as a way to explore fresh perspectives on one of our most diverse cultural practices and pleasures. The themes could encompass lineage, race, class, gender, hospitality, agriculture, colonialism, hunger, environmental justice, sexuality/sensuality, and more. Students will also be invited to bring to our class supplementary material (written or visual), including recipes. NOTE: Though the course is not by instructor permission, students MUST attend the first of class in order to keep their seats. (keywords: creative writing workshop, food writing, food culture)

Time and Narrative Students in this course can expect to spend 6 to 8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.