Power and Opportunity in American Capitalism

4 credits · Undergraduate

This course examines how institutions, ideologies, and social actors have shaped political and economic opportunity in the United States from the colonial era to the present. Through interdisciplinary readings and collaborative projects, students explore how American capitalism has simultaneously opened and obstructed pathways to opportunity—especially for marginalized communities. The course interrogates the enduring effects of systemic discrimination on social mobility and highlights how communities have resisted exclusion and demanded change. Students will build skills in research, public speaking, teamwork, and critical analysis as they challenge dominant narratives and develop solutions to contemporary inequalities.