SOC 250 Food and Society: The Italian Culture and History of Food

Every culture has its own unique food culture. This culture is shaped by the country s geography, history, and traditions. Across the globe, Italian may be one of the most known and popular cuisines in the world. Yet within Italy, each region has its own unique dishes that stem from the societal traditions of that region, with every region believing that their own version of an Italian dish is the best. This course will explore the various iconic foods within the Italian culture with special attention given to the Lazio region, in which Rome is located. It will examine how the intersection of the geographic and historical influences helped to create the recipes and traditions that made Italian cuisine and the food culture so popular. Students will have the opportunity to speak to and directly engage with the people who know the food the best - the Italians - and try some of Italy s and Rome s most famous dishes, including their pastas and gelatos, while also understanding how traditions, like the coffee culture and slow food movement reflect the Italian society as a whole.