Craig Borowiak

An introduction to the study of the global political economy with a focus on racial and class inequalities. The course examines how the global economy is governed and how power asymmetries contribute to racialized forms of labor exploitation and social dislocation. Attention will be paid to how larger economic forces influence local politics and shape individual experiences. Key themes include: racial capitalism, international trade and finance, globalization, global inequality, neoliberalism, multinational corporations, sweatshops, global cities.

This course introduces key concepts and frameworks for understanding global civil society, transnational activism, and international social movements.  We explore alternative theoretical frameworks and traditions related to civil society and how globalization is impacting both the meaning and practices of civil society. And we study numerous case studies of transnational activism, ranging from campaigns for human rights and climate justice to Occupy Wall Street and the global Black Lives Matter movement to transnational gun rights advocacy. Our readings draw from both classic texts as well as from more recent social science scholarship. The first half of the semester is more historical and theoretical, focusing on key concepts. The second half of the semester focuses more on empirical case studies of transnational activism and their ethical and political complexities. The course concludes with extensive discussion of new social media technologies and their impacts on transnational mobilization.

Examines how grassroots economic initiatives rooted in mutual aid often fill the gaps generated by urban inequality. Particular attention will be paid to racial and class fault lines within contemporary urban geographies. Case studies range from guerrilla gardens to artist collectives. This course is typically taught in downtown Philadelphia as part of the TriCo Philly Program, a program that draws cohorts of students from Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore Colleges into the city for experiential learning experiences. The course has visual studies components and involves students directly in field work with community partners.

This course examines the history of political economic thought with a focus on capitalism and its critics. We visit classic and revolutionary works from the history of political economic thought to discuss how major political economists have understood capitalism and the relationship between politics, markets, and social justice. We explore themes related to inequality, freedom, labor exploitation, imperialism, racial capitalism, anarchism, socialism, sex and capitalism, revolution, and visions of post-capitalism, among other topics.

An examination of how the global economy is governed and how governance bodies have responded to and/or contributed to crises and their aftermaths. Critical attention will be paid to power asymmetries in the international system and their consequences. Particular focus will be paid to the history and politics of global financial crises.

An intensive research seminar critically examining the politics, theory and social networks behind solidarity economy movements that seek to create solidarity-based alternatives to capitalism. Includes study of cooperatives, community gardens, eco-villages, and alternative currencies among other initiatives.

An examination of issues of justice that cross national borders, including world poverty and global distributive justice, corporate accountability, humanitarian intervention, and global environmental justice. Readings chosen from recent works in political philosophy and globalization studies.

An introduction to the major academic and policy debates over globalization and global governance. Key themes will include: sovereignty, free/fair trade; immigration; anti-globalization and violence; democratic governance and international economic institutions; and the global justice movement.

An examination of the concept sovereignty as it figures within international politics and democratic theory. Explores the theoretical and historical origins of the concept as well as contemporary adaptations, challenges and critiques. Topics include the state system and international intervention, democratic authority and globalization, indigenous and food sovereignty, and proposals for post-sovereign forms of polity.