ROML 89

PASTORAL PLATE: EXPLORING FOOD, FARMING, AND FICTION (IN ENGLISH)

Tu/Th 2:00-3:15, Prof. Danila Cannamela

Fulfills FYS
Counts as elective for Italian Major and Minor
This course explores how nature, farming, and food are portrayed in literature, especially within the pastoral tradition, which depicts an idealized version of rural life, often emphasizing harmony with nature and the simplicity of country living. We will read a mix of classical and modern texts, and watch a selection of films, to analyze how this tradition shapes our understanding of culture and the environment. Focusing on the significance of four key ingredients—milk, root vegetables, meat, and honey—we will examine the connection between people and nature, the role of food in shaping identity, and how different landscapes are represented. Students will visit a local farm and historical sites to see how these idealized portrayals compare to the realities of rural life. Through class discussions, presentations, and writing assignments, students will understand how food, farming, and nature influence society, and how literature and films reflect and challenge these ideas within the context of pastoral settings