IDS 2012 - Alcohol, Sprits, Muses, and Demons

Credits: 4
Throughout history alcoholic beverages have played important roles in the lives of peoples around the world. This course will examine the different values and meanings global cultures have assigned to alcohol consumption. We will analyze relevant political, cultural, economic and metaphysical questions and histories as well as issues related to power and cross-cultural encounters. Our study of attitudes and beliefs will also include the construction of alcohol consumption as enabling essential human powers of expressivity, memory and group identity.
McDaniel Plan: International; Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding