Stimulants and Society

Catalog description

Undergraduate course on stimulants and legal 'drug foods' (e.g. sugar, coffee, tea, tobacco) their use and development historically in context of European colonialism and their transformation in major global commodities in modern capitalism. Studies the connection between pharmacology, cultural reception, markets, supply chains, and political economy. Students prepare for independent final research project via interdisciplinary readings from history, anthropology, environmental studies as well as in-class demonstrations and field visits. Suitable for students interested in food studies, STS, pharmacology as well as anthropology, history, environmental studies.