In America today, the top 1% earn nearly 25% of the nation’s income. Wealth and income gaps have reached levels not seen since the Great Depression, and are amplified by race. The median household wealth for a white family is $144,000; for Latinxs it is $13,700, and for African Americans, $11,200. Inequality in America delves into the complex causes and impacts of the gap between the rich and poor in the United States. Students examine the social systems that feed increases in poverty and inequality and study the roles racism, classism, trans- and homophobia, and sexism play in the creation of short-sighted and damaging public policy. They examine how institutionalized and intersecting oppressions play a role in forming shortsighted and damaging public policy.
Read more about Inequality in America on
HECUA's website.
Courses:
This program consists of two courses, plus an internship.
- Inequality in America: A Political Economy Approach (4 credits)
- Political Sociology of Building Power, Change, and Equity (4 credits)
- Internship and Integration Seminar (8 credits)
Internship
Through an internship with a local organization, students begin to test and implement their own change-making skills. Past internship sites have included the Southside Family Charter School, Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, and Take Action Minnesota. You will meet local organizers, build professional networks, and spend 12-15 hours/week hours in their internship, working for organizations dedicated to social transformation. Students leave the classroom with increased confidence in their own abilities to effect change in their communities, and a deep understanding of the local nonprofit landscape.
Program Structure
HECUA is planning to offer all programs in-person for the 2021-2022 academic year. This is subject to change based on health and safety guidelines.
Health and Safety
HECUA has been vigilantly and constantly monitoring the evolving conditions of COVID-19, including tracking updates from the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, the US Department of State and other credible sources.
Click here to view HECUA's most recent COVID-19 updates.?
Housing
Students from institutions outside the Twin Cities are welcome to participate. While housing is not included in the program fees, HECUA staff are available to assist students with finding housing. HECUA is able to offer housing at an additional to cost through one of our local consortium member universities. Please contact hecua@hecua.org if you would like more information about housing.
Program Fees
Click here to view current fees. These fees include include tuition, nearly all reading materials, some field visits (including meals while traveling), and tickets to events and opportunities associated with the program. Tuition, internship placement and supervision and all course-related field visits.
This program is open to any undergraduate students currently enrolled in a US college or university who have completed their first year of college and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Prospective students are encouraged to contact hecua@hecua.org with any other eligibility questions.
HECUA offers multiple scholarships to students each term. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) students, first-generation students, and students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Visit our website to learn more.
If you're ready to apply or just want more information, we suggest that you connect with us at hecua@hecua.org.
Deadlines
- November 1st - January term and spring programs abroad, early bird scholarship deadline
- December 1st - spring US programs abroad deadline
- March 1st - early bird scholarship deadline for summer and fall programs
- March 15th - fall programs abroad deadline
- April 15th - summer and fall US programs deadline