Flavors of East Asia: China & Japan
Food is a critical signifier of national identity. This course
explores the intertwined traditional culinary cultures and cultural histories of two East Asian capital cities, Beijing (China) and Kyoto (Japan). Participants will enjoy nine days in Beijing, China, followed by eight days in Kyoto, Japan. In both locations, students will visit iconic historical sites while sampling a wide variety of traditional cuisines.
“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are."
Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French gastronome
Beijing: Exploring the Middle Kingdom
Beijing is not only famous for its own regional cuisine, but is also one of the main centers of contemporary Chinese foodie culture. Students will be able to explore a wide variety of Chinese foods from all over China, such as dumplings, Peking duck, Sichuanese hot pot, and street food. Students will also learn how to bring the taste of China home through a cooking class in one of Beijing’s disappearing hutongs. When we are not eating, we will be able to explore important sites in Chinese history, including the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Forbidden City, Tian’anmen, various temples, and the Wangfujing snack street.
In Beijing: January 4-13, 2019
Kiyomizu temple, Kyoto
Kiyomizu temple, Kyoto
In Japan, Kyoto is widely recognized as a key center for Japanese cuisine, a tradition recognized by the United National as a form of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is an honor shared only by France. Students will sample Kyoto’s world-famous vegetarian cuisine, as well as enjoy a feast for all the senses via a formal kaiseki meal. In addition to these haute cuisine experiences, students will also sample street foods, sushi, hot pot, traditional sweets, and Japanese pizza. Participants will learn to make a bento lunch, explore Kyoto’s centuries-old Nishiki food market, and participate in a traditional tea ceremony. Other cultural experiences will include Zen meditation, a day trip to Nara, and visits to many famous temples, gardens, and palaces.
KYOTO: Japan's ancient capital & culinary center
In Kyoto: January 13-21, 2019
COSTS:
Course Fee: $5740
Out-of-pocket: $760
Includes: Round-trip airfare from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, all dual-occupancy accommodations, all ground transport, all guides and group activity fees, and several special group meals in both countries.
Out-of-pocket for students covers lunches most days and some dinners, incidentals such as hotel laundry, money for snacks, souvenirs, etc.
Students are also responsible for passport fees if they do not already have a valid passport (fees vary) and the cost of the visa for China (roughly $160).
Meet the leaders:
Larissa Pitts, Ph.D.
Larissa Pitts is a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in the Department of East Asian Studies, where she teaches Chinese history, politics, and language. Prof. Pitts was once a small-town girl. Now she is an experienced global traveler who has spent several years in Chinese-speaking cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Changchun (Jilin Province), and Taipei (Taiwan). She first discovered her passion for Chinese Studies in 2006 when she traveled to Beijing on a university tour. Twelve years later, she is eager to provide the same opportunity for her students at Austin College. Prof. Pitts speaks fluent Chinese and will be your guide to the temples, traditional architecture, food, and palaces of Beijing.
Find Dr. Pitts in Sherman Hall 128, or click the button below to send her an email!
Meet the leaders:
Mindy Landeck, Ph.D.
Mindy Landeck is a Professor of East Asian Studies at Austin College, where she teaches courses in Japanese language and East Asia across the curriculum. She has been studying Japan for more than 20 years, and has extensive experience in the country, including a period of long residence in Kyoto. Her research into Japan’s 400-year-old tea ceremony has made this city, the “tea capital” of Japan, a place dear to her heart, and she can’t wait to share her “second home” with AC students. Mindy speaks fluent Japanese and will be our group’s primary guide to the gardens, castles, and temples of this ancient cultural center.
Contact Dr. Landeck at campus extension x3096, or come see her in Sherman Hall 116.
Click the button
below to send Dr. L an email!
FAQ
The Answers You Need
How do I apply for a new passport or renew one that will expire before the trip?
Visit the Department of State for full details at:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html
Please note that to get a valid Chinese Visa, your passport cannot have an expiration date prior to July 1, 2019. If yours will expire before that date, it will be necessary to renew it and have the new one in hand no later than August 1, 2018.
How do I sign up for the trip?
An interview with either Dr. Landeck or Dr. Pitts is the first step. Email one or both of us to set up a meeting time today!
Do I need to speak any Chinese or Japanese language?
Absolutely not! There is zero expectation that you will have any ability in either language to participate on this Janterm. We've got that covered with our fluent leaders and other in-country assistants.