HIS 3450 - Food in U.S. History

Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): ENG 1009 or ENG 1010 or equivalent with a grade of D or better, and any course with HIS prefix or that is cross listed with HIS prefix, or permission of instructor

Description: This course uses food as a lens to explore the social, cultural, economic, and political history of the United States. The class examines the history of agriculture, food production, eating, and taste from the first hunters and gatherers in North America to the age of the food blogger. The course discusses the origins of agriculture, changes to farming techniques, the industrialization of food, debates about nutrition, the green revolution in the United States and abroad, food safety, food fads, food and gender, food and race/ethnicity, poverty and hunger, and the ongoing American concerns with obesity and thinness. This class investigates the contributions of various racial and ethnic groups to American food culture.

University Requirement(s): Ethnic Studies & Social Justice