Duration

1 semester
Credits

6 ECTS | 3 US
Start date

8 of september
Modality

On-campus
Languages

English

The history of food: from ancient feasts to Mediterranean innovation

Since the beginning of time, food has been associated not only with subsistence, but also with pleasure.

This course will focus on the culture of food, exploring how food unites families, nations and empires, and how individuals and societies have challenged ingrained conventions and habits. The course will trace the history of food, from pagan feasts and religious bacchanals to the rise of aristocratic haute cuisine to the emergence of modern restaurants and cafes.

Throughout this journey, special attention will be paid to the transformations that arose as a result of the “Old World” exchanges between Christian Europe, Islamic North Africa and Asia, and the “New World” exchanges following the discovery and colonization of America.

This interdisciplinary course will draw on readings from history, art, cultural studies and sociology. Special attention will be given to Barcelona and the Mediterranean world, which have been centers of innovation.

Price: 900€
Number of credits: 6 ECTS / 3 US
Duration: 1 semester
You may enroll in a single course or several courses per semester.
Upon successful completion of a course, you will receive a certificate from the University through your home study abroad program.

Experiential learning | Methodology

A key part of our mission at the Food Studies & Gastronomy Program is to provide students with immersive, hands-on learning as part of their study abroad experience.

We firmly believe that a study abroad experience strictly restricted to the four walls of a classroom makes no sense. That’s why our approach is rooted in experiential learning, an engaged learning process whereby students “learn by doing” and by reflecting on the experience.

We capitalize on Barcelona’s local traditions and privileged landscapes to enrich our experiential learning methodology – our students learn in action, first-handedly taking in the city’s vibrant history and culture to stimulate their personal and academic growth while abroad.

All our courses include field studies and opportunities for hands-on learning, and we make sure to reference the world outside the classroom in every single class.

Here are just some of the field studies and experiential activities our courses can include: