Italian Studies 287 - Food, History, &Identity/Italy

"What is Italian cuisine?" This course attempts to address this apparently simple question. To find an answer, we start by looking at Italian cuisine and its heritage as a cultural expression of the country and of the people who created it, from the Middle Ages to modern times. In particular, the course focuses on the direct and indirect connections between Italy's culinary tradition and the social and historical dynamics that have contributed to shape the country's identity, and the identity of its diasporic communities. Italian cuisine is approached as a case study to question "authenticity" as the criteria to determine the belonging of a dish or an ingredient to a "true" national identity. Cuisine is, indeed, the ideal ground for cultural exchange embracing differences and dialogue, rather an "exclusive" category, at times at the service of political and financial interest or ideological agendas. Understanding the interconnections between food, history, and culture, this course aims to encourage a mindful approach to food culture - be it Italian or not - helping to highlight the invisible dynamics that determine its far-reaching social implications. This inquisitive approach to food is essential also to foster greater respect and appreciation for the products we consume, the people who produce them, and the environment in which they grow. (Gen. Ed. SB)