Who's hungry? For some learning, that is.
Food isn't new to the educational scene, but it goes well beyond culinary school. These days, schools are getting more creative with their use of grub -- from physics to hospitality, food is making its way into the academic classroom. Finally, we can eat in class without getting scolded.
Check out some of the most unique courses that have integrated food and drink into their syllabus:
1. "Gastrodiplomacy" at American University
In 2014, American University's School of International Service launched its one-of-a-kind class "Conflict Cuisines: An Introduction to War and Peace through Washington’s Ethnic Restaurants." Its focus was how restaurants translate and assimilate different cultures. As part of the class, the students eat at ethnic restaurants and talk to the owners about their experiences moving to America.
2.
Wine and Food Pairing Principles and Promotion" at Cornell University
Cornell University offers "Wine and Food Pairing Principles and Promotion" for students in its School of Hotel Administration. In this class, students learn how to pair food and wine by understanding flavor, industry and regional components. They also get to prepare tastings for industry guests. Talk about a class presentation.
3. "Craft Beer Brewing" at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
This North Carolina school offers a beer-producing program called "Brewing, Distillation and Fermentation A.A.S." In the first semester, students must take a craft beer brewing course. There, they learn the basic skills, such as recipe development and proper sanitation. By the end, they should be able to brew a small batch of five gallons.
4. "Food Photography" at New York University
In the Food Studies major at NYU, students can learn how to photograph food for the media in the aptly titled visual class. We wonder how this'll affect their Instagram food porn game.
5. "Science and Cooking" at Harvard University
This physics class teaches about the scientific basis behind cooking by having students deconstruct the dishes behind renowned chefs. The aim is for students to better understand the behaviors and properties of soft materials. And each week, a chef comes in to lecture about gastronomy.
6. "Maple Syrup: The Real Thing" at Alfred University
A spring 2009 honors seminar, students got to learn about the industry surrounding maple syrup, such as production and history. According to the course description, maple syrup is something that has endured, despite society evolving in so many different ways. Students got to even learn how to make their own, and yes, tasting did occur. On top of that, the class took field trips to festivals and producers.
7. "Food and Power in the Twentieth Century" at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
This 2015 MIT graduate course uses food as a means for historical analysis. Food is a vehicle for economic, political and social evolution. The course analyzes its industry, technology and global development as a way to understand American culture.