Read this NPR article about a new trend in teaching international relations, teaching through FOOD! Would you want to take a class like this? Do you think it detracts from the academic rigor involved in the study of international conflict? Let me know what you think below!
I would take a class in gastrodiplomacy. I think the class seems interesting, and I love to eat :) I think to some extent it does detract from the academic rigor involved in the study of international conflict, but only because the experience is largely subjective, and sensual. I think that it is easier for people to understand each other when an individual's perception or interpretation of a phenomena is able to be shared. Food and eating is something that cannot really be "shared" and objective. People taste different flavors and react in different ways. In contrast, data like that presented in Gapminder cannot be challenged legitimately. This being said, I think that the class is an interesting venture (that I would totally take advantage of), but I think that at the same time, study of conflict is better framed in tangible events, and people's reactions to those events.
ReplyDeleteThere is a web series that is very similar to the shows of Anthony Bourdain in that it uses food as a way to explore and understand different cultures and their history and their current problems. I would highly suggest it to everyone to watch it but not at school because it can be very explicit. It is a series on Vice and is hosted by Eddie Huang. Here is a link to the first season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPnsZ0s3FmU&list=PLDbSvEZka6GFaJOYUvkSSqgk_pGZ0TUFr
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vice.com/fresh-off-the-boat/fresh-off-the-boat-chengdu-trailer?utm_source=vicetwitterus
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good trailer of the show that captures what it's about.
I would love to take a class like this, and I don't think it would take focus off the study of international relations between countries. If anything, I think it will help. A country's cuisine can be very affected by its history. For example, coffee was introduced in the country by the French in the 19th century. When I visited Vietnam a few years ago, we walked by many coffee shops every day. This fact alone helps me remember that Vietnam was formerly a French colony. People always try to find different ways to remember facts, and I believe that food can be an effective method.
ReplyDeleteI actually find the fact that a class like that exists very interesting, and even sligthly innovative. In class, a lot of the time we talk about the faults in methods of presenting/orgainzing data that dehumanize said data into a block system of pecentages and numerical values. However, culinary diplomacy, while it sounds bizarre at first, is a way of case studying sociopolitcal situations in counties we are not famliar with that keeps in mind the human quality of the observations. Also, while most case studies are quite strenuous and time consuming i doubt many people would oject in learning about the one thing evry loves: FOOD! And inregard to the rigor involved in the course, I do not think that it should be an issue. The studets are not just studying food, but the reasons behind changes and continuity in culture of a nation based on political changes (eg. Italian influences on Ethiopian foods). This is a great class, I only wish fascination and the importance of learning such material would spread quicker through the academic community.
ReplyDeleteI am quite perplexed at this article, usually when you think of international relations, you think of people in suits smooching out the other side. I had some doubts about the program but i cannot argue against the positives that is listed on the article that says that if you taste a countries food that you would like it more. I agree on that because i eat many different foods from the oriental store and i have developed a taste for milo and hopia. I think that this program would expand the already made food basis that all americans have, for example i'm filipino and many americans like the lumpia and i even know some teachers that go on trips to the Philippines. I think this project maybe added as a supplement to a students international political and social views.
ReplyDeleteI would like to take it, though I don't know how far out of my comfort zone I would go to try new things. I don't think it has to detract if it's done in such a way that keeps that academic rigor involved. I think the only problem is people might take the class just for the food, not to learn, and that could detract from the overall learning experience. Food is very much a part of culture and history and can tell you a lot about a country's past, so I don't think it would be a bad course to be offered.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take a class like this. I think that food provides an interesting insight into other cultures and promotes conversation about cultural differences, because people are typically passionate about their culture's food. Initially while reading the article, I didn't understand how food could provide a productive learning experience regarding international relations and conflict, as sharing food is typically just a social thing, but the point about food making people feel positively about a country made me believe that it could potentially be helpful in teaching international studies.
ReplyDeleteI probably would take it. I don't think that it detracts from academic rigor because food is a main part of many cultures. Also, many people when thinking of other countries, think of their food first, so it would probably be a very helpful way to get people interested in the area of international relations while learning something tangible.
ReplyDeleteI would be open to trying this course. It allows for a creative way to learn about that countries culture and history through the types of food they eat. History and diplomatic relations are intertwined, and anything that offers an advantage in understanding should be explored.
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