UISS 125D - Black Economic Entrepreneurialism: Generational Wealth and “Opportunity” in America

3 credit(s) High Impact Practice: Diversity
In this interdisciplinary course, students will survey readings and case studies focused on uncovering the long history of financial dispossession that has plagued African Americans since the founding of the nation. Segregation, discriminatory federal policies, and mob violence against black businessmen and women in America were not confined to the 1960s but rather existed with a purposeful design aimed at returning would-be independent blacks to a place of perpetual servitude and economic dependence upon whites in America. Students will explore readings grounded in policy, history, politics, business, economics, and sociology to shed light on how American society perpetuates unequal treatment of African Americans, with emphasis on business and economics. Case studies will also highlight entrepreneurs who demonstrated incredible success, despite these challenges. Connections between the historical disparities to current-day entrepreneurship will happen through assignments, readings, and discussion.

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