Spring 2020 Student Forum Application

“Un sabor de América Latina: Culture in the kitchen”

This forum will explore the ethnographic and historical connection between and culture in Latin America. From herbs and spices to grains and animals, Latinx communities maintain a powerful, cultural connection to their . The ancestral roots of these dishes describe the historical meeting point of Indigenous, African and European influences, and contribute to a deep sense of cultural identity. Students will participate in hands-on and discussion-based learning by cultural dishes unanimously chosen by the group and reading enriching material outside of the designated meeting time. Our overall purpose is to bring the Latinx community together and strengthen the ties to our similar heritages through cooking and discussion. The rationale of this forum is to consider the connection between food and culture in Latin America from a historical and anthropological perspective.

Belen Morote: Throughout these past semesters at Wesleyan, I’ve grown closer to my heritage and culture by immersing myself in Hispanic literature classes and opportunities to advance my verbal skills in Spanish. As an immigrant, I value the connection that food provides for my cultural identity. It’s important to give the Latinx community a space to have open conversations regarding their heritage. This forum is a step towards that goal and I feel enthusiastic to be able to lead the group and strengthen the bond that the La Casa household already has.

The most essential topic that will be discussed includes the history, culture, and anthropological significance of a specific Latin American food item, dish, or diet. Other essential topics include the role of geography in Latin American and how it compares between different Latin American countries. These comparisons will contain personal reflections on heritage and traditions through the lense of cooking, recipes, and how food historically connects to cultural identity. Reading List: ● National Geographic - Nations of the World - Central America (video) ● Reading - Orale! Food and Identity Amongst Latinos ● Reading - How Lost Its Home-Grown Food, But Might Find It Again ● Reading - Alimentary Dignity: Defining a Decent in Post‐Soviet Cuban Household Cooking ● Reading - Nuevo Latino: Rebranding ● Exploring South America’s Culinary Capital: A Taste of Lima (video)

Students will each come up with several points of discussion for their selected topic. This allows the student(s) to lead a conversation amongst the class and exercise their skills of academic discourse. The class will also be able to cook dishes unanimously selected at the beginning of the semester as a way to enrich the learning process. The faculty sponsor will attend at least one class meeting and meet with the student leaders at least once mid-semester to consult and evaluate the progress of the forum. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis with respect to their level of engagement on the assignments, completion of discussion leading, and overall participation. February Central Day 1: America ● Meal: Rellenitos de plátano (Guatemala) ● Video: National Geographic - Nations of the World - Central America ● Assignment: Comparing/contrasting cuisine and culture. ○ 1-2 discussion leaders will be chosen to lead the following meeting. Day 2: ● Discussion: Based on previous assignment. ● Meal: Pozole (Mexico) ● Assignment: Reading - Orale! Food and Identity Amongst Latinos ○ 1-2 discussion leaders will be chosen to lead the following meeting. Day 3: ● Discussion: Based on previous assignment. ● Meal: Pupusas (El Salvador) ● Activity: Making a menu based on the historical diet of the selected region - Bring to following meeting.

March Caribbean Day 1: ● Discussion: Brief showcase of menu projects. ● Meal: y carne guisada (Puerto Rico) ● Assignment: How Puerto Rico Lost Its Home-Grown Food, But Might Find It Again ○ 1-2 discussion leaders will be chosen to lead the following meeting. Day 2: ● Discussion: Based on previous assignment. ● Meal: Mangú () ● Assignment: Insatiable: ’s food ration system and the people of Cuba ○ 1-2 discussion leaders will be chosen to lead the following meeting. Day 3: ● Discussion: Based on previous assignment. ● Meal: Ropa Vieja (Cuba) ● Activity: Exploring South America’s Culinary Capital: A Taste of Lima ● Assignment: “Sharing family recipes” - Bring to following meeting. April South Day 1: America ● Discussion: Brief showcase of family recipes - agree on one to make for the last meeting in April. ● Meal: Ceviche (Perú) ● Assignment: Nuevo Latino: Rebranding Latin American Cuisine ○ 1-2 discussion leaders will be chosen to lead the following meeting. Day 2: ● Discussion: Based on previous assignment. ● Meal: Bandeja () ● Assignment: Personal heritage reflections - one page, double spaced

Day 3: ● Discussion: Share final thoughts on what we’ve learned and reflected upon. ● Meal: Selected family recipe ● Activity: “Connecting Cuisine and Music”

Our estimated budget for each month of the student forum is $250. Signatures:

Faculty Advisor: ______

Student Leader: ______

Student Leader: ______