By tracing the narrative and the journey of a luxury fabric—cashmere; a spice—Saffron; and a beverage--tea, participants in this course will learn about the history of the commodities’ making, their makers, and why their places of production, Kashmir and Assam, continue to be important global news stories. Using this contemporary approach to understanding culture, we will come to appreciate the culture and places of India, as well as the people who live on its borders.