Experiences of migration and diaspora refuse easy definitions of “culturally authentic” food. Diasporic encounters with food make it possible to connect to ancestral origins while also transforming culinary traditions in new and unexpected ways. This assignment examines the transportive power of food and how it can evoke deep emotional, cultural, and political attachments. Students will choose a diasporic recipe and record a podcast episode about their dish for our course series, Home Plates. Through research and audio storytelling, we will explore how food engages the senses, evoking memories of cultural traditions we may long to return to or may not intimately know.
Quick Links
Listen to the podcast
Assignment Components
Objective
Create a 5–8-minute podcast episode exploring the cultural, historical and personal significance of a diasporic recipe. This recipe should hold meaning related to class discussions on diaspora, migration and belonging.
Format
- Feature a well-crafted script that seamlessly integrates academic content footnotes, grounding your episode in research.
- Merge critical thinking, research and storytelling to engage your listeners.
- Include a first-person narrative, incorporating your voice and perspective.
Sample Episodes from the podcast:
Home Plates: The Dish on Diaspora
Joy Sitinjak
To Cook and Love: Nasi Goreng and the Diasporic Experience
The host cooks Indonesian fried rice and explores how it relates to the diasporic experience.
Daniela Moncada
Tied Together: A Home Plates episode on Hallacas
The host discusses how Hallacas tell the story of Venezuela's rich history from Indigenous traditions.
Bo Wu
The Taste of Home: Chongqing Sausage as a Passport to Home
The host talks about how the dish is more than just food, it's a passport to memories and cultural connections.