Spice Routes and the Geopolitics of Early Food Trades

Spice Routes and the Geopolitics of Early Food Trades is an original Mai Studies programme in culinary anthropology & global foodways. Over 4 weeks and roughly 20 guided hours you work through recorded classes, written notes, practical activities, knowledge checks and assessed tasks marked against a published rubric with an 80% pass mark. All material is written in-house. Mai Studies is independent: no official examination content, question bank, recording or branding from any certification body is reproduced, and completion leads to a Mai Studies completion certificate rather than a regulated or accredited qualification.

4 weeks 20 guided hours Intermediate

Join membership to study

Included with Mai Studies membership at no extra cost. Fee waivers are available through scholarships and open access.

Spice Routes and the Geopolitics of Early Food Trades course artwork

What you will achieve

Explain the core principles of spice routes and the geopolitics of early food trades in plain language
Apply the methods safely and correctly to realistic scenarios
Produce a documented portfolio piece assessed against a published rubric
Plan your next steps in spice routes and early food-trade geopolitics

Entry guidance

— Comfortable with beginner-level spice routes and early food-trade geopolitics
— Willingness to complete weekly practical work

Original Mai Studies learning material. This is a professional completion programme, not a regulated qualification or university accreditation.

Programme syllabus

3 applied modules

Foundations of Spice Routes and the Geopolitics of Early Food Trades

Core concepts, vocabulary and working environment for spice routes and the geopolitics of early food trades.

Applied practice in Spice Routes and the Geopolitics of Early Food Trades

Hands-on work that turns theory into a repeatable method for spice routes and early food-trade geopolitics.

Portfolio project, assessment and next steps

Produce assessed evidence of your capability and plan the study that follows this programme.