Margaret-Ann Simonetta

Sociocultural Anthropologist

University of PortsmouthPhD Scholar

Harvard UniversityA.B. in Anthropology ’19 Cum LaudeA.M. in Anthropology ’24

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Teaching

Lectures and Seminars at Harvard University on cultural media studies, anthropology, and academic writing and presenting research — listed by each academic term.

Chocolate, Culture, and the Politics of Food

This course will examine the sociohistorical legacy of chocolate, with a delicious emphasis on the eating and appreciation of the so-called “food of the gods.” Interdisciplinary course readings will introduce the history of cacao cultivation, the present day state of the global chocolate industry, the diverse cultural constructions surrounding chocolate, and the implications for chocolate’s future of scientific study, international politics, alternative trade models, and the food movement. Assignments will address pressing real world questions related to chocolate consumption, social justice, responsible development, honesty and the politics of representation in production and marketing, hierarchies of quality, and myths of purity.

Also offered as: The Fandom of Chocolate, Culture, and Food

Spring 2022 · Spring 2023 · Spring 2024 · Spring 2025

Food Fandom: Harvard University Food Literacy Project

Have you ever heard of “food fandom?” If you consider yourself a foodie, express yourself with food, connect with others via food, or are generally interested in food and pop culture, this presentation is for you. Guest speaker, Margaret-Ann Simonetta is a PhD Scholar and a Harvard University graduate (Class of ’19 and ’24) in the field of Anthropology and Fandom Studies. She has created a unique career by combining cultural media and fandom studies.

Spring 2025

Harry Potter and the Return to Azkaban

exclusive Summer 2024 exhibit entitled ‘Return to Azkaban.’ This class will thoroughly describe the importance behind fandom themed spaces, fan exclusivity, fan-induced tourism to London, space, place, and embodiment in fandom spaces, and how these aspects consistently refuel Harry Potter’s global fan base. Additional marterials discussing the

Fall 2024

Harry Potter and the Young Scholars

Harry Potter and the Young Scholars is a course n for young scholars (and Harry Potter fans!) who range between the ages of 6-18 years. This course demonstrates how fandom research can be studied at any age by implementing hands-on, factual material to young scholars who are curious about cultural studies concerning topics they love, like Harry Potter. Topics such as Harry Potter facts, fan-induced tourism, and viral Harry Potter memes and online culture are discussed.

Summer 2024

The Writing and Presenting Process

This lecture series gives students the basic skills to begin a first draft, build upon your work, and eventually present your academic findings. We will go over writing a precis, finding a model for your paper, gathering and organizing evidence, and shaping a good thesis question. Our goal here is not perfect, just planned out. Further discussions will focus on the task of filling out a paper and employing editing skills. We introduce three skills with the intention of building the early draft to a more finished form: refining the precis into an introduction, writing a “goosebumps” conclusion, and mapping out the order and content of the paragraphs in between. We use writing exercises to bring the draft to a more finished form, with a shift toward presenting one’s piece from an academic paper to a piece that can be presented online or in person. These valuable writing skills can be used to begin any piece of source-based nonfiction, whether in the realm of business, science, social sciences, or humanities. Then, the course will end with a thorough focus on how students can take their finalized paper and present their piece to a crowd, whether in-person or online. Presentation methods such as a planned vs. an impromptu speech, different presenting techniques and strategies, self-confidence in front of an audience, and presenting your paper in multiple mediums (i.e., at a conference or other venue) are discussed in detail.

Also offered as: The Writing Process: Beginning the Work, Building the Draft, and Presenting the Work; The Writing Process: Building the Draft and Presenting the Work; Writing And Presenting At Your Best: An Overview

Spring 2020 · Fall 2022 · Summer 2023 · Fall 2023 · Summer 2024

Course page ↗

Harry Potter and the Wizarding Tourist

Per annum, more than 140 million tourists travel to media-themed destinations they have seen on screen, online, or have read by means of an author’s fantasy world. Themed spaces, which include film studio exhibitions, draw travelers from around the globe to view these cultural fantasies as a way of inserting oneself into a fandom community through touristic experiences. These spatial organizations boast principal themes through symbols, ideas, and embodiment tactics as expressive spaces for people to gather. Recognizing an anthropologist’s main intention is to reveal the diversity of human behavior in communal settings to discover displays of performance and feeling, the recent prosperity of cultural fan tourism is a valid method to comprehend a fandom’s sense of community within a themed space.

The Writing Process: Beginning the Work

This seminar will give you some basic skills to begin a first draft, including writing a precis, finding a model for your paper, gathering and organizing evidence, and shaping a good thesis question. Our goal here is not perfect work, just a first pass.

Also offered as: Writing and Presenting: Beginning the Work

2020 · Spring 2021 · Spring 2022 · Fall 2022

Course page ↗

The Writing Process: Building the Draft

This lecture will focus on the task of filling out a paper and employing editing skills. We will introduce three skills with the intention of building the early draft to a more finished form: refining the precis into an introduction, writing a “goosebumps” conclusion, and mapping out the order and content of the paragraphs in between.

Also offered as: Writing and Presenting: Building the Draft

The Writing Process: Presenting Your Work

This lecture will focus on how students can take their finalized paper and present their piece to a crowd, whether in-person or online. Presentation methods such as planned vs. impromptu speech techniques, self-confidence in front of an audience, and presenting your paper in multiple mediums (i.e., at a conference or online) will be discussed throughout the webinar.

Fall 2020 · Spring 2022

Harry Potter and the Wizarding Cuisine: Cultural and Character Performances Encompassing Food in the Harry Potter Series

The Harry Potter Conference is a non-profit annual academic conference hosted by Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, PA). This interdisciplinary conference provides a forum for scholarly presentations arising out of J.K. Rowling’s literature.

Advanced Tips for Public Speaking and Presentations, Both Online and In-Person

This advanced webinar expands on the basics of public speaking and professional presentations for both in-person and online use. From crafting your outline for professional or academic purposes to setting the scene for your big debut, this seminar coaches you to frame your presentation for the story you want your audience to retell.

Becoming a Broadcast Journalist

This lecture focuses on how students can develop their writing and on-camera presentation skills in the hopes of becoming a broadcaster. Methods such as breaking into the industry, standing out from the pack, and focusing on your broadcast writing skills are discussed in detail.

Fall 2020

Harry Potter and the Master of Death

The Harry Potter Conference is a non-profit annual academic conference hosted by Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, PA). This interdisciplinary conference provides a forum for scholarly presentations arising out of J.K. Rowling’s literature.

How to Speak with Confidence Online and In-Person

This seminar highlights the many ways faculty and students can present their ideas with confidence; focusing on in-person and online elements. Whether you’re a working professional or a full-time student, your ideas and voice have a platform waiting to be heard! This lecture focuses on taking past and present professional or academic work and molding such pieces into professional presentations that can be professionally used in-person or online.

How To Present Your Ideas With Confidence

This seminar highlights the many ways faculty and students can present their ideas with confidence. Whether you’re a working professional or a full-time student, your ideas and voice have a platform waiting to be used. This lecture focuses on taking past and present professional or academic work and molding such pieces into professional presentations.

2020

Cite this work