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WiSe 19/20: From Döner and Currywurst to Vegan Burgers and Vertical Farming: Introduction to the History, Culture and Politics of Food in Berlin

Susanne Scharnowski

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Subject: Berlin is a hotbed for new food trends. It has been named the “the vegan Mecca” and the “vegetarian capital” of the world and “one of the most vibrant food cities in Europe”. But since the 19th century, Berlin has also been one of German industrial centres and the most American city of Europe, which also manifested itself in the new ways food was produced and consumed in the modern era. Migrants from different parts of the world have brought their food traditions to Berlin, and food activists campaign against food waste, for a healthier diet and for ethical eating. Program: We will examine the cultural history of food in Berlin since the 19th century and address some of the key issues regarding the production and consumption of food since the age of industrialisation, taking Germany, and particularly Berlin, as an example. A visit to exhibitions about the cultural history of food will illustrate the topics discussed in class. We will then consult academic texts from the social sciences and cultural history which discuss food from a cultural, personal, social, environmental, and ethical point of view. Finally, the students will conduct their own research projects about food projects and initiatives in present-day Berlin and present their findings in class. Is this course suitable for you? This course is open to students from all academic fields. Nevertheless, you should be prepared to study a number of academic texts in English from the social sciences, cultural history and cultural studies. You should be interested in reflecting critically on eating habits and food preferences in a cultural, social and environmental context, and you should be prepared to do some field research on a specific aspect of contemporary Berlin food culture in a working group and present and discuss the findings in class. Workload and Assessment: In order to obtain 5 ECTS credits, students will have to attend the course regularly (at least 13 out of 16 sessions), study the weekly course materials (an average of 15-20 pages of English texts per week); participate in a working group (field research) with a presentation in class and pass the written examination (90 minutes). close