food collegium on 20Sept08

[ppfuf]

For the upcoming food collegium, I'm teaching a class ambitiously titled "The Medieval Cook as Physician and Priest: the effects of medical theories and church rules on food and beverages. Lecture class on the theoretical aspects of medieval and renaissance cooking. Possible topics of discussion: overview of humours theory, application of humour theory, rules of lent and the lesser fasts, the importance of medical theory to the medieval cook, humorous humor theory for feast shtick, and how to use the rules to avoid eating food you don't like."

Does anybody have questions they'd like to ask? I may not be able to answer all of them here, but I'll be happy to forward you a class handout afterwards (if you are unable to attend).

Comments

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

I know at least one person who might take your class so they can use the 'avoid eating food you don't like' part. (it's not me) Probably not the feedback you're looking for here, but I thought I'd mention it.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Oh, do I want to take this class. It sounds wonderful. I'll be out of town, though. :-(

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

It sounds very interesting to me. I plan to be there.

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

I'm not happy to miss the collegium, but a trip to see Mom is happening. She's clearly on her way out, and I want to spend some quality time with her.

Please save me a handout.

[eestep.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I'm on the wrong coast to attend the class, but if you'd be willing to share a hand-out, that'd be wonderful! That's a topic that's come up regularly, but not in depth, locally, and learning more would be great.

[xrian.livejournal.com]

Be sure you're clear on the difference between "fast" and "abstinence," both of which tend to be loosely called "fasting". Fasting in the strict sense (in church parlance) is a limit on the amount and times of eating; abstinence is avoiding certain types of food. They do tend to go together -- Lent involves both -- but there is also, for instance, the rule about abstaining from meat on Fridays, which involves no fasting.