HUM 195-01 - Introductory Special Topic: Food, Culture, and Identity in China and Russia

4 credits (Spring)

This course examines and compares how Chinese and Russian people conceive of, represent, and reimagine their individual and collective identities through a specific lens: how they (re)make and consume food traditions. We will explore how socialist and post-socialist cultural forces, including globalization, shape and are influenced by foodways in China and Russia, especially as their cultures and societies have undergone and continue to experience vast transformations. Drawing from Chinese and Russian literature, cookbooks, cultural histories, art, film, folklore, and memoirs, we will use methodologies of textual analysis and food history as we explore our topic. As part of our course, we will travel to several cities in China over spring break, and in Russia over the summer.

First-year students interested in this course will need to complete an application in addition to doing the normal registration process. The application materials are available on GrinnellShare (Academics>Centers>Center for International Studies>Global Learning Program). Students selected to participate in the Global Learning Program will be required to pay a $400 participation fee (most other required travel expenses will be covered). This fee will be payable at the Cashier’s Office, by cash or check, and will be due 1 week after classes begin. If payment of this fee causes you financial concern, please contact Gretchen Zimmermann in the Financial Aid Office to discuss loan options to cover this additional cost of attendance.

Prerequisite: TUT-100.
Instructor: Armstrong, Feng