"Around The Table"
In room 129 of the Science and Math Building, students
weekly explore the world one dish at a time. One week it’s Northern Europe;
another week Africa. This global trip briefly brought students home over
midterms as they shared the stories of their own familial heritage through a
shared meal.
Jeanne Florini has taught The
Cultural Feast: an Introduction to Food and Society for over 10 years. An
advisor for the Global Classroom
Club and a lover of Italian cuisine, she introduces students to new dishes
and new ideas about the world and themselves.
“They find out a lot about
themselves,” observed Florini. “Food is a story; it’s a personal story. It’s an
important part to your identity.”
Students engage in culinary
adventures, introducing their palettes to new flavors while learning about
different ethnicities’ approaches to health and diet. Although part of the
Dietetic Technology Nutrition Care program, this course attracts students from
various studies.
“We formulate a community. The best
way to build community is eating together.”
The course’s purpose is “to broaden horizons, creating
awareness of ethnocentric assumptions,” explained Florini. She sees growth
among her students. Not only do they improve their communication and critical
thinking skills, but they are now open to new ideas and new experiences.
Pulling Up a Chair
 |
| Florini with students on spring break trip to Milan, 2017 |
By Katelyn Ericson of the Forum
Comments
Post a Comment