Hummus, Chips and Salad: The Anthropology of Israeli Food

What is Israeli Food? How do Israelis eat? And what can we learn from these culinary practices about "Israeliness"? In this course we will explore nationalism, ethnicity, religion, gender and class in Israel from the unusual and intimate culinary perspective. While reviewing the theoretical literature on the social and cultural study of food, we will follow the history of dishes such as hummus and falafel, discuss the cultural meanings of religious dietary laws and learn about unique Israeli foodways such as its Independence Day BBQ. We will also deal with the strained culinary relations between Israelis and Palestinians and between Jews and Arabs. 3 hrs. lect./disc.