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Global Poverty and Practice

College of Letters and Science
Minor Office: Blum Hall, (510) 643-5316

Minor Director: Ananya Roy, MCP, PhD (Department of City and Regional Planning)
Minor Website: Global Poverty and Practice Minor


Overview

The Global Poverty and Practice minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to introduce students to the theoretical frameworks, methods, and practical skills necessary to engage with global poverty and inequality in imaginative and effective ways. The "Practice Experience" is a central component of the Minor in which students partner with organizations engaged in poverty action (e.g. non-governmental organizations, community organizations, government agencies, and other poverty or development programs). In conjunction with the coursework, this real world experience, which can take place domestically or internationally, allows students to connect theories and practices of poverty action. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to undertake the minor.

Eligibility

All currently matriculated undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Students must be able to demonstrate their ability to complete all minor requirements within the established unit norms for their degree program.

Courses

The minor is organized around 3 core and 2 elective course requirements, in addition to the practice experience. The requirements must be completed in the following sequence:

  1. GPP/CP 115: Global Poverty: Challenges and Hopes in the New Millennium
  2. GPP 105: The Ethics, Methods, and Pragmatics of Global Practice
  3. Practice Experience
  4. Reflection Course (GPP 196 or Major Thesis)

In addition, two required elective courses may be taken at any time during that sequence, but will most benefit students if taken prior to the practice experience. These electives, categorized as “Global and Area Studies” and “Sectors and Methods,” must be relevant to the student’s practice experience. Approved elective courses are listed on the GPP Minor Website.

How to Apply

Students must submit a minor declaration form to he GPP Minor Advising Office (100 Blum Hall). The deadlines are generally in early October and early March. For more information, please see the Global Poverty and Practice minor website .

GPP 105 The Ethics, Methods, and Pragmatics of Global Practice 4 Units

Department: Global Poverty and Practice

Course level: Undergraduate

Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer

Grading: Letter grade.

Hours and format: 3 hours of Seminar and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Seminar per week for 8 weeks. 8 hours of Seminar per week for 6 weeks.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

This course is intended to provide students with the necessary background and knowledge to undertake projects and work experience of a global scope. Students will be exposed to a diversity of methodological frameworks, introduced to the basic skills needed to effectively participate in organizations, and to understand the ethics of global service and practice. Students will be required to complete a literature review and a major project proposal.

Formerly known as International and Area Studies 105. Instructor: Talwalker

GPP 115 Global Poverty: Challenges and Hopes in the New Millennium 4 Units

Department: Global Poverty and Practice

Course level: Undergraduate

Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer

Grading: Letter grade.

Hours and format: 3 hours of Lecture and 1 hour of Discussion per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Lecture and 2 hours of Discussion per week for 8 weeks. 8 hours of Lecture and 2.5 hours of Discussion per week for 6 weeks.

This class seeks to provide a rigorous understanding of 20th century development and thus 21st century poverty alleviation. Students will take a look at popular ideas of poverty alleviation, the institutional framework of poverty ideas and practices, and the social and political mobilizations that seek to transform the structures of poverty.

Instructor: Roy

GPP 196 Global Poverty and Practice Capstone Course 3 Units

Department: Global Poverty and Practice

Course level: Undergraduate

Terms course may be offered: Fall, spring and summer

Grading: Letter grade.

Hours and format: 2 hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks. 6 hours of Seminar per week for 8 weeks. 7 hours of Seminar per week for 6 weeks.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

This course is intended to provide students with a forum for reflection on the Practice Experience component of the Global Poverty and Practice minor. Lessons learned in the minor will be applied to the realm of public discourse through various forms of public scholarship. Issues of power and privilege, civic engagement, and tensions between tourism vs. travel and community service vs. engagement will be addressed. Students will also explore academic and professional post-graduation options.

Formerly known as International and Area Studies 196.

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