ASIA081 PO

A Culinary History of China

PO

Chinese cuisine is spicy! Yet did you know that the Chili peppers now widely used in Chinese cooking were introduced in the region only in the 16th century? In this course, we will discuss food as a gateway for cultural and historical developments in Chinese history. What do cooking and food habits tell us of Chinese culture? We will explore these topics through a variety of media- primary sources, newspapers, photographs, and movies. The course is divided into sections on the history of food; primary sources and representations of food; and Chinese food outside China. In the last few weeks, we will concentrate on food culture in Shanghai in the last century.

PO Area 3 Requirement, PO Speaking Intensive, Asian Studies