HWS News
9 October 2024 • Faculty Alcohol Around the World By Colin Spencer '19
An Institute for Global Studies course explores the social dimensions of alcohol across various global contexts through a series of faculty-led discussions.
In the course “Introduction to Global Studies: Alcohol,” students have been exploring the historical, cultural and political roles alcohol has played in multiple contexts across the world through a variety of faculty lectures.
Taught by Associate Professor of Russian Area Studies David Galloway as part of the Institute for Global Studies program, the course enables students to explore the historical roots of alcohol. The goal is to enhance their collective knowledge and analytical research skills on an issue impacting much of the global population. Designed collaboratively by faculty from the Institute for Global Studies, the course exposes students to a wide range of tools and perspectives from the humanities and social sciences, encouraging them to think critically across time and space about global issues of concern.
The topics include: the development of alcohol in Ethiopia; classical alcohol use; beer and marketing locally and globally; alcohol and Islam; and alcohol in the Middle East and Yemen.
“Part of what is always interesting to faculty is seeing how others teach and hearing about their specialties,” says Galloway. “It also shows students how many faculty are interested in global issues, potentially offering courses they could take after GLS 101. Since the Institute for Global Studies is composed of multiple departments, faculty visits demonstrate the breadth of expertise we have on campus.”
Sabrina He ’28, an inclusive childhood education major, enjoyed learning about the development of alcohol in societies. “I learned a lot about different cultures and their take on alcohol and alcohol making,” says He. “It's really cool that I can continue to build knowledge and learn more about the history of alcohol not only in the U.S., but globally.”
Holton Frank ’27 says the talks have taught him how alcohol is more than just a beverage, but a source of social cohesion, ritual and even economic development. “The speakers' insights reinforced the idea that studying alcohol is not just about understanding consumption, but also about examining how it shapes and reflects broader societal changes across history,” says Frank, a physics major.
The Institute for Global Studies promotes a broad outlook for students across the globe in topics such as politics, language, culture, history, art and science through nine programs: Africana Studies; Anthropology; Asian Studies; European Studies; French, Francophone and Italian Studies; German Area Studies; International Relations; Latin American Studies and Russian Area Studies.
Learn more about the Institute for Global Studies here.
Top: Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Studies Leah Himmelhoch discusses classical alcohol use during "GLS 101 - Introduction to Global Studies: Alcohol."
