Food Portal

In this module we will explore the cultural history of tea production, tea consumption, and tea-related cultural forms and practices. Primary focus will be on Asia, with side-expeditions to other parts of the world. White, green, Oolong, red (black), the Silk Road, tea bricks, tea ceremonies, tea-and-Zen, tea as world commodity, tea as entheogen---we can explore all of this and more!

This class will discuss the evolution, history, biology, behavior, and mysteries of buzzing insects with a focus on the honey bee. I will give a brief overview of beekeeping (this is not a how-to-keep-bees course) and honey bee products. We will learn the difference between bees and their wasp and hornet counterparts. We will explore the challenges facing bees and native pollinators, and you will discover how you can support bees and beekeepers. We’ll discuss some big names in the bee world and the amazing research they’re doing. There will be myriad stories about cool things and experiences.

Note: This is NOT a Beekeeping class, however, it may give you an idea of what beekeeping entails and the amount, kind, and frequency of care involved. Also, I can certainly refer you to resources relevant to your geography (America only).

What can a carefully arranged bento box show us about a protagonist’s emotions? How does a steaming bowl of ramen help tell a story? Anime is known for its detailed, mouthwatering portrayals of food. But what exactly makes these artistic culinary delights so special, and why do we keep coming back for more?

In this module, we will consider many aspects of food in anime and its relationship with fandom, culture, and history, and how food signals certain things about characters, settings, and relationships.

Come help us eat our way through anime!

This module seeks to provide students with a deeper look into aspects of Korean culture which can provide a lens through which to view and appreciate them on a deeper level. Through a series of 8 classes, we will cover topics of Food, Social Structure, History, North-South relations, some aspects of language, and the global impact of K-dramas.