HIST 4800B - Topics: Beer History
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43883,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Kyle Starkey
Email: ktstarkey@ysu.edu
Course Description
4800B. Topics: Beer History. In-depth investigation of a selected topic in History including, but not limited to political, social, economic, environmental, technological, or cultural issues. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia | Tate Paulette | |
| Required | Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages | Patrick E. McGovern | |
| Required | Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 | Judith M. Bennett | |
| Required | Hopped Up: How Travel, Trade, and Taste Made Beer a Global Commodity | Jeffrey M. Pilcher | |
| Required | Ambitious Brew: The Story of American Beer | Maureen Ogle | |
| Required | "Archaeology of Ancient Egyptian Beer" | Delwen Samuel | |
| Required | "Understanding Early Modern Beer: An Interdisciplinary Case-Study" | John Morrissey et al. | |
| Required | "From Monasteries to Multinationals (and Back): A Historical Review of the Beer Economy" | Eline Poelmans & Johan F.M. Swinnen | |
| Required | "Belgium's Historic Beer Diversity: Should we Raise a Pint to Institutions?" | Eline Poelmans & Jason E. Taylor | |
| Required | The Barbarian's Beverage: A History of Beer in Ancient Europe | ||
| Required | "Technical Change in the Brewing Industry in Germany, the Low Countries, and England in the Middle Ages" | ||
| Required | Principles of Brewing Science: A Study of Serious Brewing Issues | George Fix | |
| Required | The Brewing Industry in England, 1700-1830 | Peter Mathias |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Course Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia "Archaeology of Ancient Egyptian Beer" |
Module 1: The Origins of Alcohol | |
| 8/31 | In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia |
Module 1: The Origins of Alcohol | Recipe Analysis #1 (Due Online: 09/06) |
| 9/7 | Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages | Module 1: The Origins of Alcohol | |
| 9/14 | Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages Principles of Brewing Science: A Study of Serious Brewing Issues |
Module 1: The Origins of Alcohol | Essay Assignment #1 (Due Online: 09/20) |
| 9/21 | Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 Hopped Up: How Travel, Trade, and Taste Made Beer a Global Commodity |
Module 2: Monks, Laws, and Hops | |
| 9/28 | The Barbarian's Beverage: A History of Beer in Ancient Europe | Module 2: Monks, Laws, and Hops | Recipe Analysis #2 (Due Online: 10/04) |
| 10/5 | "Technical Change in the Brewing Industry in Germany, the Low Countries, and England in the Middle Ages" "From Monasteries to Multinationals (and Back): A Historical Review of the Beer Economy" |
Module 2: Monks, Laws, and Hops | Oktoberfest Assignment (Due Online: 10/11) |
| 10/12 | Principles of Brewing Science: A Study of Serious Brewing Issues "Belgium's Historic Beer Diversity: Should we Raise a Pint to Institutions?" |
Module 2: Monks, Laws, and Hops | Midterm Exam (In-Class - 10/16) |
| 10/19 | The Brewing Industry in England, 1700-1830 | Module 3: Industrializing Beer | |
| 10/26 | The Brewing Industry in England, 1700-1830 | Module 3: Industrializing Beer | Recipe Analysis #3 (Due Online: 11/01) |
| 11/2 | The Brewing Industry in England, 1700-1830 | Module 3: Industrializing Beer | |
| 11/9 | Principles of Brewing Science: A Study of Serious Brewing Issues | Module 3: Industrializing Beer | Essay Assignment #2 (Due Online: 11/15) |
| 11/16 | Ambitious Brew: The Story of American Beer | Module 4: Beer & the Contemporary World | |
| 11/23 | Ambitious Brew: The Story of American Beer | Module 4: Beer & the Contemporary World (Thanksgiving Break) | Recipe Analysis #4 (Due Online: 11/29) |
| 11/30 | Principles of Brewing Science: A Study of Serious Brewing Issues | Module 4: Beer & the Contemporary World | |
| 12/7 | Final Exams Week | Final Exam (12/11 - 8:00am-10:00am) |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.