RALL3080: Chocolate and Power

Do you like chocolate? What do you know about where your chocolate comes from, how it is cultivated, processed, and commercialized? Did you know that cacao was a sacred food for the peoples of Mesoamerica? Do you know how and when chocolate became popular all over the world? This course will provide an in- depth look into chocolate to understand its cultural significance over the centuries and until today, but also as a vehicle to examine with a critical eye issues of power, race, gender, and class inequality at a global scale. Through readings and viewing of selected materials and class discussions, as well as hands-on experiences, students will learn about the origins of the Theobroma cacao tree, the uses and meaning of chocolate for the Olmec, Maya and Aztec peoples, and the role that chocolate has played in the world’s economy and culture since the 16th century. Today, the idealized view of this product continues to make it one of the most profitable crops worldwide. As a result, poor countries continue to be exploited to supply the increasing demand from rich countries. This course will also look at the Fair Trade movement and other initiatives that aim to bring about change for a more sustainable and just future. 

Course Format: 3-hour weekly seminar. Classwork will be based on readings, class discussions, reflection essays, experiential learning activities, a final research project, and a class presentation based on the final project.

• Spring 2024
• Spring 2021