The Corporation in American Society

Undergraduate / Graduate

Few institutions are as polarizing as the corporation. For some, corporations are modern marvels of American capitalism-models of growth, efficiency, and cooperation. For others, they are grotesque symbols of excess-selfish concentrations of wealth, capital, and power. Regardless of the emotions associated with the institution, it remains ubiquitous within American political economy. Drawing on a range of recent legal, economic, and historical scholarship, this research based, writing intensive, seminar interrogates the role of corporations within American society by asking questions such as: what, if anything, do corporations owe the state and society; does business have a "social responsibility;" to whom/what is the corporation accountable; and what role should state and federal governments play in regulating these consequential institutions? Students will select one area of inquiry and prepare either a research proposal with bibliography or research essay based on an analytical question related to the course theme. This course will count as an LLSO junior colloquium.