French 331FE - Courses on Social and Political Issues and Critical Approaches: 'Fabulous Feasts: French Cuisine and Food Culture'

UNESCO recognized French culinary culture as "a social custom aimed at celebrating the most important moments in the lives of individuals and groups" (2010). We will explore the historical, sociological and cultural aspects of meals, étiquette and the culinary arts and the culture that embodies them through different media (recipe collections, guides, literary texts, essays, plays, films and TV shows). We will examine the development of French cuisine from medieval banquets to markets to grande cuisine and nouvelle cuisine and its influences. We will also investigate gastronomic traditions, regional and local culinary character and gastronomy in order to understand and reflect upon French food culture.

Prereq: Two of the following courses: FREN-215, FREN-219, FREN-225.