Sugar: A Global History

3 credits

Sugar. Gold. Oil. These are some of the commodities that have shaped our worlds. Focusing on sugar, this course looks at why and when humans developed sugary products. Examining enslavement and other forms of coercion in the sugar trade, it reveals how humans have overthrown – including by revolution – sugar’s most oppressive regimes. Looking at defining moments in sugar history, this course introduces students to empire, colonization, enslavement, indenture, abolition, trade, and biopolitics. Sugar, it reveals, is more than just a sweetener we add to our drinks. It is woven into the very fabric of our lives. ***Prerequisite: One 100-level HIST course or completion of 15 credit hours.***