Current Economic and Social Issues Spring 2014 The Evergreen State College
April 14, 2014 Faculty Office Mailbox Phone Email Office Hours Peter Bohmer Lab 2, 2271 Lab 2, 2nd floor x6431 [email protected] Friday 4:00-5:30 Web page: http://blogs.evergreen.edu/bohmerp Sem 2, A3107
Weekly Schedule Tuesday 10:00-4:00 Sem II, A3107 Wednesday 10:00-1:00 Sem II, A3107 Friday 10:00-4:00 Sem II, A3107
On Tuesday and Friday, we will take a one hour lunch break in the middle of class, usually but not always around 1:00 P.M.
Program Description The cracks in the United States and the global system it underpins reveal the truth behind the glossy advertising and public relations. These cracks are the political economic and social issues that persist, unsolved, in “good” times and explode as crises in hard times like the current period. We will study five major economic and social problems in this one-quarter program, Current Economic and Social Issues.
We will begin by looking at the causes, human impact and social movements challenging contemporary poverty and income inequality in the United States. We will then develop the political economic analysis and tools to analyze the recent financial melt-down, the current economic crisis and related economic and social problems in the United States and globally. We will compare and contrast different frameworks such as neoclassical economics, liberalism, Marxism, etc., and examine causes, consequences and possible solutions for these five major contemporary issues: 1) Poverty and income inequality in the U.S; 2) The criminal justice system. racism and mass incarceration; 3)The injustices of a border- divided world that show up in immigration; 2) Work and low wage labor; and 5) The ecologically unsustainable and unjust global economy with a focus on global warming in the global south. This is our premise: the world we live in generates poverty, inequality and injustice but there are always opportunities to resist, and that solidarity will win out in the end. We will examine opposition to these economic and social injustices looking at social movements that have challenged them as well as examining reform and societal transformation. We will imagine and examine alternatives to the current economic system in the United States and how they might address some of the issues we are addressing, through our reading the essays in the book, Imagine Living in a Socialist U.S.A.
We will spend one to two weeks on each of these topics, balancing theoretical assessments of the problem, stories drawn from real-life experience, and potential directions for organizing and social change and for policy changes. Students in small groups will make short presentations to the program on solutions proposed by policy makers, scholars and grass roots organizations to the economic and social problems we are examining. Students will also choose an economic or social problem to research and in their study will examine how these issues are being addressed by social movements and possible solutions to them.
This program will combine presentations, films and workshops with an emphasis on discussion of the subject matter facilitated by both students and faculty. There will be seminar-type discussions of the readings and presentations each Tuesday and Friday and usually on Wednesdays.
1 Required Books Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco, Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt David McNally, Global Slump: The Economics and Politics of Crisis and Resistance Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness (new forward by Cornel West), 2012 David Bacon, Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes People Frances Goldin, Debby Smith, and Michael Steven Smith), Imagine: Living in a Socialist U.S.A. Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America, 10th anniversary edition, 2011 Christian Parenti, Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence,
Optional Book, Michael Yates, Naming the System (good basic book on how capitalism functions)
Assignments: Note: Papers should be typed. Suggested number of pages for papers is for double spaced, normal font and normal margins. Quality is more important than quantity. 1) Write a two page paper on each of the required books. In your paper you should include ideas from the presentations and related films and a relevant quote which you discuss from the reading (Include page number). Each paper is due at 10 AM on the date where we finish the reading of that book. The due date is marked on the syllabus.
For the books by Hedges and Sacco, Alexander, Bacon, Ehrenreich and Parenti, your paper should include the following: 1) Examine the main economic and/or social issues the author is analyzing. This should include the main causes of the problem; the economic and social impact of this issue, e.g., low-wage work; and the short and or longer run solutions being proposed. 2) In your paper, you should include both the author’s perspective and yours and how and why they differ.
For your paper on McNally’s, Global Slump, explain the immediate and longer or more systemic causes and impact of the 2008 global financial crisis and of the “Great Recession”. You may want to include analysis from the movie, Inside Job, in this paper.
For your paper based on the book, Imagine: Living in a Socialist U.S.A., explain what some of the authors and you mean by socialism, how it would function, how it is different from capitalism; and how it could address a few key issues, e.g., gender and sexual orientation, housing, health, criminal justice, art, welfare, etc. In your conclusion, write very briefly whether it is a possible or desirable alternative to capitalism. Suggested length for paper on this book---three pages.
2) For each of the books except for Imagine, Living in a Socialist U.S.A., students in small groups will make a brief presentation to the program on reforms or more fundamental changes put forward by politicians and policy makers, grass roots organization, and researchers to address major economic and social problem suggested by the reading. The group for the book, Imagine, will discuss ideas from Section 3 on “Getting There: How to Make a Socialist America” and relevant outside readings on strategy. You should also discuss possibility of fundamental change in U.S. From the seven books you read, you are expected to make one presentation in groups of about three, maximum of four. OR 3) Once during the quarter, you should also make a short, five minute presentation to the program on current issue of major importance in the news. I suggest you read The New York Times daily and listen or watch, Democracy Now, www.democracynow.org. Democracy Now is also on KAOS, 89.3 FM from 9-10, A.M., Monday to Friday. It is recommended that you put the article or other form of news on our program Moodle site before your presentation.
Note: You should do seven of these assignments total.
2 Recommended: that you write six of the seven short papers; and do one presentation. Alternatively, you can do seven short papers and no presentation, OR make both presentations 2) and 3) above and write five of the seven papers. This is a modification of the original syllabus.
4) Students will choose individually or in groups an economic or social problem to research, including analysis of groups working to end the related injustice and examining possible solutions. You will research this issue over the course of the quarter. On Friday, April 11th, please submit a paragraph or two on the topic you choose and why you have chosen it. Talk to me about ideas, ask me for suggestions on topics, readings. The topic can be one we are analyzing or another major issue that is related but not a focus of this program. You should submit a developed outline in sentence form with a bibliography on Tuesday, May 6th. It should include whether you are doing it individually or in a group and if a group, who is in it, and the form your research will take—paper, short story, video, etc. Recommended length of paper--eight pages. If it is not a paper, you should submit a brief written summary and bibliography. Due: Tuesday, June 3rd. You will also make a presentation of up to 15 minutes to the program on Tuesday, June 3rd, Wednesday, June 4th or Friday, June 6th. The presentation is as important as the paper you write. Please put time and effort into preparing your presentation, don’t just read your paper!
5) On the syllabus, on the Moodle Site, and in class; there will be announcements of lectures and conferences of direct relevance that occur outside of class time. For example, there will be a field trip to Seattle on Thursday May 1st, 2014. It is expected you will attend that. For the other events, it is highly recommended that you go. At the end of each of these events you attend, write no more than one page on: what you learned, its relevance to your learning, and strength and weakness of the event. Please include this in your portfolio.
6) Portfolio—due Friday, June 6th. Please submit a bound portfolio where you include a cover page describing what you have done including which papers you have written; the specific presentations you have done, i.e., from 2) and 3) above; seminars you facilitated; and outside events you attended. There should also be a section with papers you submitted and got back; and a section with the one-page papers on relevant events outside of program time that you attended.
Credit Full credit will be earned by doing all of the following: Reading assigned texts in advance of class Participating in class activities (participation is defined as active listening, speaking, and thinking) Attending class (as attendance is a precondition of participation, absences will reduce your credit). You are expected to attend all program activities including the proposed field trip. Completing all assignments by the date due. Attending an evaluation conference at the end of the quarter Attended some of the events that took place outside of class time
If you do all the above at a level that meets basic program expectations, you will earn sixteen credits. Credits will be subtracted if you do not fulfill all of the requirements. The quality of the work you accomplish will be described in a narrative evaluation.
Expectations and Behavior This is a serious program. You need to make attendance and study a priority for this spring. If you don’t think you can do all of the above, about 40 hours a week, another program might be better for you.
Please always bring the book we are reading to class. Also, please take notes during presentations, films, seminars, and workshops.
3 Turn your cell phones off during class. You can use your tablets, computers to take notes but not to use Facebook, surf the web or look at or answer email. The only exception is to get some information that we are seeking, e.g., the poverty rate in Washington State.
Attendance is expected as is on time attendance. If you cannot make a class, please email me with a short explanation.
We will take at least one break on Tuesday and Friday, and one break on Wednesday. Obviously, if you have to go to the bathroom you should go but please limit leaving and coming back to class. Getting food, water or coffee or going to smoke should wait until the break or lunch.
Evaluation: Your evaluation will consist of your seminar leader's written evaluation of your work, your self-evaluation, and the evaluation conference. You will be evaluated on your level of comprehension of the material, on your skills (writing, thinking, speaking, listening, research, presentation), and on your intellectual engagement with the major themes of the program as reflected in assignments and discussions.
Weekly Schedule For the most up to date schedule, please check the Moodle site at my.evergreen.edu. That is where the syllabus will be updated. This syllabus is a work in progress and will be revised.
Week One: Income Inequality and Poverty March 31-April 4
Reading Hedges and Sacco, Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt
Tuesday, April 1 Introduction to Program and Syllabus Film: Inequality for All
Tuesday Seminar Introductions Read: Hedges and Sacco, Introduction, Chapter 1-2 .XI-XV, pp.1-113
Wednesday, April 2 Andrew Meyer on Peaceworks Conference Presentation: Different Perspectives: Left, Right, Center Film: Incident at Oglala
Friday, April 4 Student: Current Events Presentation Presentation: Poverty and Income and Wealth Inequality—Measures, Analysis Student presentation: Solutions to Poverty and Income inequality
Friday Seminar Read: Hedges and Sacco, Ch. 3-5, pp. 115-271 Due: Paper on Hedges and Sacco
Week Two: Political Economy, Global Economy, Financial Crisis and Recession April 7-11 Reading McNally, Global Slump
Tuesday, April 8 Political Economy of Capitalism Movie: Inside Job Tuesday Seminar Read McNally, Global Slump, Intro and Chapters 1-3; pp. 1-84
4 Wednesday, April 9 The Great Recession and the Current U.S. Economy Wednesday seminar: Read McNally, Chapter 4, pp. 85-112, and glossary, pp. 195-196
*** 3:00- 4:30, Recital Hall, Com Bldg or 7:00-8:30, Orca Books, 509 E4th St. “I am Troy Davis, The Human Impact of the Death Penalty”. Kimberly Davis, sister of Troy Davis and co-author Jen Marlowe will read from their book, I am Troy Davis.
Friday (4/11) Debt and Dispossession Movie: You Got to Move Current Events presentation Lunch: 1:15 to 2:15 ( I will be in another class) Friday Seminar: Read: McNally, Chapter 5, pp. 113-145 Due: Paragraph on Research Project
------Week Three: Global Resistance and Rebellion; Racism and the Criminal Justice System April 14-19th
Readings: McNally, Global Slump, continued; and Alexander, The New Jim Crow
Tuesday, April 15 Neoliberalism and Resistance to Neoliberalism Film: Tambien La Lluvia (Even the Rain) Student presentation on solutions to the “global slump” Tuesday Seminar: Read: McNally, Chapter 6 and Conclusion, pp. 146-194 Due: Paper on McNally
Wednesday, April 16th Intro: History of Racism Film: Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary
Friday, April 18th Political Economy of U.S. Racism Workshop: Social Statistics; Data on racial inequality Friday: Current Events Presentation
Friday Seminar Read: Alexander: The New Jim Crow, Foreword by Cornel West, Preface, Intro, Ch 1-2, pp. ix-xiii, pp. 1-96
Saturday, April 19th Peace Works Conference : Yet Again as Captives; Mass Incarceration in the United States and Palestine, beginning 9 A.M., all day at Evergreen 7:30 P.M. at the Washington Center downtown, Conversation featuring Angela Davis and Noura Erekat . Details on program Moodle site.
Week Four: April 21-25 Criminal Justice System; Immigration
Readings: Alexander, The New Jim Crow; Bacon, Illegal People
Tuesday, April 22 Film: Visions of Abolition. 92 minutes Discussion led by members of Abolish Cops and Prisons
Tuesday Seminar Read Alexander, Ch., 3-5, pp. 97-220
5 Wednesday, April 23 Film: Fruitvale Station Challenging Racism Student presentation on reforms of Criminal Justice system, of Drug Laws
Wednesday seminar Read: Alexander, Ch. 6, pp. 221-261 DUE: Paper on Alexander
Friday, April 25 History of U.S. Immigration and Immigration Policy Film: Harvest of Empire Current Events Presentation Friday April 25 seminar, Read Bacon, Illegal People, Preface, Ch. 1-3, pp. v-x, pp. 1-81
------Week Five: Political Economy of Immigration April 28-May 2nd
Reading: Bacon, Illegal People
Tuesday, April 29 Political Economy of Mexico and Central America, NAFTA and CAFTA Film: Maquilapolis Tuesday Seminar Read: Bacon, Chapters 4-6, pp. 83-198
Wednesday, April 30 Anti-Immigration Policy and Movements, the Right-Wing and Racism Film: "Under Arpaio" http://underarpaio.com Wednesday seminar Read: Bacon, Ch. 7, pp. 199-231
Thursday, May 1 Field Trip to Seattle, leave 9:30 A.M., return in the evening, May Day Visit to Wing Luke Museum, International District Attend May Day Immigrant Rights Rally and March, 3 P.M., Judkins Park
Friday, May 2nd Political Economy of Immigration and Immigrant Rights Reform Student presentation on Immigration Reform Current Events Presentation Discussion of research (afternoon) Friday seminar Read: Bacon, Chapter 8, pp. 233-261
Wednesday, April 30th and Friday, May 2nd is Day of Absence, Day of Presence (DOA/DOP). Schedule will be posted on Moodle site. DUE: Paper on Bacon
Week Six: Socialism May 5-May 9 READING: Goldin. Smith and Smith, Imagine, Living in a Socialist U.S.A.
Tuesday May 6th Dismantling Racism in Healthcare Conference at Evergreen Reading: Imagine, Living in a Socialist U.S.A., Section 1, Section 2: Ch. 1-10, pp. 1-97 DUE: Outline of Research Project
Wednesday, May 7th: Marxism, Anarchism, Capitalism, Social Democracy and Socialism Wednesday seminar: on Readings for Tuesday, Imagine, pp. 1-97
Friday, May 9th: Movie: Sicko Debrief of Tuesday conference Current Events presentation
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Friday May 9 seminar, Imagine, Complete Section Two, Ch 11-21, pp., 99-196 ------Week Seven Participatory Socialism, Labor and Low Wage Workers May 12-May 16 READINGS: Goldin. Smith and Smith, Imagine, Living in a Socialist U.S.A., and Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed
Tuesday May 13th Political Economy of Participatory Socialism, and How to Get There Tuesday Seminar Read: Imagine: Section Three, pp. 199-281
Wednesday, May 14th, Workshop on How a Good Society Would Be Organized! Student group presentation on possibility of socialism and strategy
Friday, May 16th, History of the Labor Movement Movie; Made in LA Current Events presentation Friday seminar Read Nickel and Dimed, Introduction, Ch. 1 and 2, pp. 1-119
------Week Eight: Low-Wage Workers, Walmartization and Resistance; Global Warming May 19-23
Readings: Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed Parenti, Tropic of Chaos
Tuesday, May 20th “Race”, Class and Gender Film: Salt of the Earth Tuesday Seminar Read: Ehrenreich, Ch., 3, and Evaluation, Afterword, pp. pp. 121-238 For seminar, also answer discussion questions, Ehrenreich, pp. 241-244
Wednesday , May 21 Guest speakers on Living Wage Campaigns, $15 an hour, Organizing Low Wage Workers Economics of Minimum and Living Wage and Guaranteed income Student presentation on ending low wage work.
Friday, May 23rd Climate Change, Causes, Impact and Solutions Guest Lecture: Peter Dorman, film, Chasing Ice Current Events Presentation Friday Seminar, Read Parenti, Parts I and II, pp. 3-95
Week Nine: Global Warming and the Environmental Crisis: May 26-May 30
Reading: Parenti, Tropic of Chaos.
Tuesday, May 27th (outside of class: Greedy Lying Bastards); film: The Wisdom to Survive”: Climate Change, Capitalism and Community Guest speakers from Olympia Rising Tide
Tuesday seminar: Parenti, Part III, pp. 97- 154
7 Wednesday, May 28th, U.S. Militarism, Current Warfare, Drones Film: Dirty Wars Guest Speaker: Steve Niva
Friday, May 30th: Political Economy of Ending Global Warming. “A Fair Shares International Climate Campaign”—guest lecturer , Robin Hahnel Current Events Presentation Student presentation on Solutions to Global Warming Preparing and practicing final paper presentations in small groups Friday Seminar: Read Parenti, Part IV, pp. 155-252
------Week Ten: Wrap-Up, Presentations June 2-6
Tuesday, June 3rd Morning: Wrap up of Program, what we learned Afternoon: Final Presentations DUE: Final Paper
Wednesday, June 4th Final Presentations Sign-Up for Evaluation Conferences. They will be Monday, June 9th, P.M.; Wednesday, June 11th, P.M.; and Friday, June 13th, A.M.
Friday, June 6th Morning: Final Presentations Afternoon: Potluck, final comments DUE: Portfolio
------Evaluation Week: Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13th Conferences will be in my office, Lab 2, 2271. Bring a draft of your self-eval and an evaluation of me.
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