Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective

Catalog description

This class examines urban poverty from a global perspective. It takes as its point of departure a fundamental paradox: The globally connected economy has enabled the accumulation of unparalleled wealth, while at the same time, allowing basic human need to persist at a breathtaking scale. Through a range of texts and films, this class will discuss different ways of thinking about what poverty is, how it is experienced, justified and maintained in cities, and by whom. Our class will also consider the efforts of governmental and non-governmental organizations to alleviate poverty. Through a final project, students will engage with course themes in St. Louis through an outreach experience.