ITL 374 ITALIAN CUISINE AND LITERATURE

This course analyzes literary representations of Italian cuisine from a variety of historical periods and genres. Students will read key excerpts from literary works, analyzing the social, political, religious, and historical roles of cuisine and food. Students will consider how works of literature utilize cuisine to provoke discussion about gender, political power, sin, sexuality, class, and identity. The course emphasizes critical textual analysis, close reading, and the creation of meaning through literary and linguistic form. Several cooking demonstrations will be scheduled as a part of the course around these thematic elements