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Food for Thought:
Understanding Italian Society and Culture through its food
Instructor: Luciana Fellin
June 3 - July 4, 2015
Food is an important element in the development of individual and cultural identity. The production, preparation and consumption of food have played a particularly important role in the development of Italian culture. From the excesses of the Roman table, to the “bread” of the Fascist war effort, to today’s “Slow Food” movement, it is often through food that Italians have asserted and defended their cultural heritage; some would say even imposed it. In recent years, Italy has witnessed what the Wall Street Journal has dubbed “gastronomic nationalism” and under the guise of defending local identity some Italian municipalities have attempted to ban ‘ethnic foods’ from their city centers. With food production, distribution, and consumption are also a nexus of social, political and economic interests, which raise ethical questions: food waste and food accessibility, environmental impact, gastronomic racism, economic protectionism.
In this course we will examine food stuffs (products) and food ways (practices and rituals revolving around food) to understand their cultural significance, to gain insight into culturally specific ways of thinking symbolically about food, and to explore the political consequences engendered by food production distribution and consumption. We will read about the cultural similarities and differences of Italian cuisines as well as their histories, we will visit places where local food is grown and processed, and we will gain insight to Italian culture through experiencing its food ways, that is, by actually selecting, preparing and eating food. Venice is a terrific site for exploring these issues. It is home to a fish market that is over 900 years old, the bulk of the produce sold at its daily market is produced in Sant Erasmo, known as Venice’s garden/farm island and its cuisine is at the same time locally and globally rooted with influences from its long history of cosmopolitanism.
Meals and Accommodations
Students will be housed in double rooms in a dormitory of Venice International University (VIU), located on the scenic island of San Servolo. Each room will have a private bath. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in VIU's cafeteria Monday through Friday; students will also be given a set of vouchers/meal passes that can be used in the VIU cafeteria and also in a wide network of cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets. The vouchers are valid nationwide, so students can use them while traveling in Italy. There are no kitchen facilities in the dormitory.
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