Lecture 1. Brewing, Feasting, and Imbibing: A Preview

Lecture 1 provides an overview of the structure of the module and an introduction to its main themes and concepts. The lecture then offers a broad overview of the early histories of alcohol production and consumption with an emphasis on the connections between communities and cultures. Brief case studies then follow of alcohol use in the Near East, Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America as well as Europe. These case studies will bring up specific fermented libations including beer, fruit wine, mead, sake, palm wine, and chicha. This lecture provides the background of the different societies and the specific alcoholic beverages known to them.


supporting documents:

Handout

Lecture Notes