San Gemini, Italy

The History of Food in Italy

when 26 June 2017 - 7 July 2017
language English
duration 2 weeks
credits 2 EC
fee USD 2500

This 2 week program gives an overview of the evolution of the food system in Italy. By food system we mean everything to do with food, including its production, storage, processing, distribution, cooking and consumption. Organized around four historical periods of Italian food history (classical world; middle ages; 16th to 18th centuries and the introduction of American crops in Europe; and the contemporary industrialized world), this course is made up of classroom lectures with hands-on experience in an experimental cooking workshop, which is not meant to be a cooking class but a place where students can experiment with old recipes or processes used to transform, store or cook food.

Course leader

Tommaso Lucchetti

Contact information: pwithers@iirpsemail.org
(718) 768-3508
Deadline for application is March 15, 2016

Target group

This course is aimed at people studying university level social or economic history, anthropology, nutrition, or people who are seriously interested in the history of food (serious foodies).

Course aim

An important goal of SGPS is the safeguarding of cultural heritage in small inhabited centers; our various educational programs have studied the cultural heritage of San Gemini, a small city that until very recently was an agrarian society where most people were involved in agriculture. Understanding the history of this town inevitably requires understanding the history of its food. As part of our efforts to understand this aspect of the town’s heritage, SGPS is offering a new two week course giving an overview of the evolution of the food system in Italy.

Credits info

2 EC
SGPS was originally part of the university program at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for many years and became an independent study program in 2010.
In the past five years, many of our students have successfully arranged to get independent study credit through their universities. We can furnish your professor and university with any information they require about our course in order to approve it as an independent course, or any other form of accreditation that you are considering. The number of units listed on our website, e.g. 6 units for Programs A, B, D and E, and 1 unit for the Intersession Field Trip, is the equivalent credit level at which students were credited when SGPS was part of a university and what we recommend for independent study credit in 2016.
We can also provide certification that you participated in the course and completed all the class work and field experience. This would be a good addition to your resume if applying for further education or a job in restoration.

Fee info

USD 2500: Fee includes academic costs for the equivalent of 2 units, accommodations, application fee, transportation during academic field trips within Italy that are part of that course, materials and tools, buffet reception, welcome packet, and final dinner. Fee excludes travel to San Gemini, food and insurance.
EUR 0: Applicants should look for financial aid with their home university.