FAQS
Why Food & Social Justice in Oaxaca?
Mexican food is highly diverse and has been officially recognized as an immaterial world heritage by UNESCO. The state of Oaxaca is famous within Mexico for its traditional foods and its cultural and biological diversity. At the same time, it is also a site of vibrant social movements that address struggles over inequality and racism, against mining activities and land expropriations for development projects, green colonialism, and other ventures related to the effects of the climate crisis. Food plays a central role in all of that, sometimes as a symbol of resistance, other times because of exploitation, as a cause of disease and healing, as a target of gentrification, and even as a marker of innovation. We let food take center stage to guide us in understanding these conflicts and the possible solutions proposed by different actors.
Who should take this course?
This course is open to all who have an interest in travel, Mexican and Oaxacan culture, an appreciation for cuisine, and are eager to learn about the intersection between food and social justice.
What is the time commitment per week?
The workload for this course, including readings and assignments, typically amounts to 4-6 hours per week.
What is the cost to take Food & Social Justice in Oaxaca?
The 2021 program fee is $399.
What is the refund policy for these courses?
If you need to cancel your attendance for this course, you must notify us via email at learn@uvm.edu or call us at (802) 656-2085 at least three business days prior to the start date of the course to receive a full refund, less a $25 cancellation fee. If a medical condition necessitates cancellation/withdrawal (documentation provided), this will be reviewed by our Studies Committee for any type of refund.
Will I receive a Certificate of Completion?
Students completing this course will receive a digital badge.
What is a typical schedule like?
The official “online week” for this course runs from Wednesday until the following Tuesday. New modules for each week will open on Monday evenings at 5 p.m. (starting with Module 2) in case you wish to get a head start on the following module. In each module, you will find instructor video and lecture materials, followed by dynamic assignments and self-reflection to apply your knowledge and share with your peers.
Are there any live sessions?
Live sessions for spring 2022 TBD
Can the course be taken from anywhere, including outside the US?
Yes. Our certificate is 100% online. Please note that class materials are in English, with some Spanish materials and phrases used. You are not required to know Spanish to take the course.
Are there any required textbooks that must be purchased for the course?
No. All materials will be provided to students within the course.
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
There is no specific pre-coursework required for this course.
How will I be graded?
You will be assessed on your participation in the discussion boards, completion of assignments, and comprehension of the course material. To receive an electronic digital badge students must receive a 70% or better in the course. Because this is a non-credit professional program, there is no transcript.
Does this course qualify for UVM employee tuition remission?
No. Non-credit courses do not currently qualify for tuition remission.
What browser and computing device should I use for this course?
We recommend using a browser other than Internet Explorer with our Blackboard online learning system. Firefox, Google Chrome, or other browsers tend to work more effectively with Blackboard. It’s very important to note that Blackboard will only work with a desktop or laptop computer. It is not designed to be used with phones or tablets (e.g., iPads), so please make sure you have access to a desktop and/or laptop computer for the duration of the class. For the best experience, we recommend the primary way to access the course space is via a laptop or desktop computer. We do provide the weekly recipe guides in a mobile-friendly format in case you want to pull them up on your phone or mobile device as you are preparing the recipes in your kitchen.
Have a question that is not listed here?
Our advisors are here to help. Please email us, or submit the inquiry form available on this site.