SOC 385 Global Inequality and Community Development

Why is inequality so severe in the world today and what can we do about it? The course explores how global inequality is conceptualized, where it comes from, and what consequences it has for peoples and places around the world. The course also looks at efforts by ordinary people, NGOs, and official development agencies to undermine global inequality and ameliorate its harshest effects. Students are introduced to various examples of contemporary community development initiatives and the impacts of these attempts to improve the living conditions for the world's least powerful. Students will identify promising ways to address global inequality and to act as responsible global citizens in the world today. Prerequisite: SOC 131, SOC 203, SOC 204, or permission of the instructor. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2, GP. (3)