Education

Through the careful implementation of existing courses and the creation of new ones, the Whittier College Coffee Initiative has developed a strong foundational curriculum that aims at explaining the complex food systems from multiple perspectives through the lens of coffee.

Agricultural Supply Chains: Coffee

Taught by Alcala (RGC Coffee and Whittier College alumna), this course examines the coffee supply chain, the players involved, and how climatic and environmental changes have been affecting this coffee production and the coffee market. Invited speakers from the coffee industry are an integral part of this course.

Urban Ecosystems and Ecology

Taught by Dr. Fissore, this course explores spatial and temporal connotations of both the physical components of urban areas, their functions, and processes, as well as the social fabric of cities, with particular focus on environmental justice and social inequities as well as the role of agriculture that develops at the peri-urban fringe. Coffee is utilized as an example of producer-consumer dynamic.

Political Economy of Development

This course, offered by the Economics Department, analyzes how current political and social contexts affect economic development and covers the role of emerging countries in the globalization process, and how development can be accomplished in collaboration with the private sector. Examples pertaining to the coffee sector are incorporated in this course.

Marketing Principles | Branding

These two complementary courses, offered by the Business Administration Department, help students develop an understanding of the role and processes of marketing in contemporary society and a managerial viewpoint in setting marketing strategy and tactics of the firm. Specific focus on the coffee industry and hands-on activities are aspects of these courses.

Practicing Urban Agriculture

Taught by Dr. Fissore, this hands-on course is taught in the campus teaching garden and in the Research Coffee Orchard and it has the goal to instill in students an appreciation for urban farming and to expose them to the role of food system in society.

Course Modules introduce students to key aspects of the coffee supply chain.

As part of the Whittier College Coffee Initiative, students learn about relevant aspects pertaining to the coffee supply chain through the lens of specific disciplines and subject matters. Faculty members incorporate modules – intense week or multiple lessons worth of instructional
material – focused on coffee into their existing courses.