The Culture of Food & Wine in Argentina

Food matters - particularly in a place like Argentina, where beef (asado), wine, mate, and grains are not just at the center of its culture and traditions; they are the very foundation of national history. Through first-hand experiences (field trips, food tastings, guided field research in the city) and interpretative analysis (using a variety of scholarly texts from the social sciences; poetry and literature; visual arts; in-class debates; and your own written assignments), we learn about national cuisine, taste national wines, and learn about the history that has shaped Argentina's particular food rituals and culture.

In studying food, we will also make sense of the histories of imperialism and nationalism as well as gain a clear understanding of Argentina's contemporary society and politics. Argentina has long been known as a world-class producer of beef and wine - but there is much more to its history than meets the eye. From food nationalism, to the recent economic crisis and subsequent "food riots," to new controversies over the rise of genetically modified crops, we will see just how central food is to contemporary life in Argentina. Prepare to gain a profound grasp of the Argentine reality as we investigate the origins and the impact of how, what, and why we eat what we eat.