Communication 245 - The Folklore of Alcohol

This course examines the vast store of folklore inspired by and directed at alcoholic beverages and their cultural reach. Folklore means traditional expressive practices ranging from the verbal arts (such as stories and songs) to material culture (such as crafts and medicine) to customary activities (such as rituals and beliefs). The range of folklore herein is both global and ancient; that is, it concerns the entire history of alcohol, which necessitates attention to the entire history of humanity in a global perspective. Virtually all kinds of alcoholic beverages will be examined. Specific lectures will address cultural patterns and differences concerning alcohol in the negotiation of identity, community, and society. (Gen. Ed. SB)