University Forum: Food, Meaning, and Spirituality

University Forum: Food, Meaning, and Spirituality
Dr. Corrie Norman, Associate Director, Religious Studies Program, UW Madison

This course explores how people make meaning while making dinner. It will examine the sacred spaces, times, and rituals that involve food in a variety of religious traditions and cultures. It will also cover how people experience and express what’s sacred to them outside of traditional religious boundaries, particularly in the sustainability movement and organizations like Slow Food.

The course runs for four weeks, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 pm, June 17-July 10. The first hour focuses on a particular aspect of sacred expression with food, then the class moves to the Dining Room at the Crossing where Slow Food UW interns will lead us in a variety of hands-on, collaborative activities where we’ll think with specific foods-literally. We’ll eat them too.

Local cooks, food artisans, and food-fans on faculty will be joining us during the course. On June 26, internationally renowned baker, food writer, and culinary teacher Peter Reinhart will join us for a very special session on bread followed by some time learning with dough and tasting local breads.

The forum is free and open to the public. Advance registration is requested. See http://summer.wisc.edu/courses/summer-forums.html for registration info