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Urban Poverty Studies, Minor

Drawing on the long tradition of Saint Louis University's commitment to the city of St. Louis, Missouri, the interdisciplinary minor in urban poverty studies is an examination of local, national and global forms of poverty, inequality and social injustice in urban environments.  

Leadership

Cooper-Sadlo, Shannon, Ph.D.
     Program Coordinator

Curriculum Overview

Through coursework and practical experience serving in the city of St. Louis, students from across academic disciplines will think critically about the most pressing problems faced by people living on the margins in contemporary cities. In addition, they will investigate the ways in which the minor can supplement their major field of study.

The 15-credit interdisciplinary minor, which is administered by the Micah Program, is open to all undergraduates at the University, regardless of their school or major. No affiliation with the Micah Program is required.

Courses listed below in each category are only a sample of the overall course options which fulfill requirements for the minor. The Micah program director will discuss with you the interdisciplinary courses that can be used for the minor.  No course may fulfill more than one urban poverty studies minor requirement.  

Introductory Courses6
Choose two courses (6 credits) on the nature of justice, urban social and political problems and social ethics with an Urban Poverty-Introduction attribute.
Examples are:
ASTD 3200
The Urban Crisis
PHIL 1050
Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality
THEO 1000
Theological Foundations
THEO 2515
Social Justice
ASTD 2600
American Places
POLS 2200
State and Local Politics
SOC 1500
The Urban Community: Race, Class, and Spatial Justice
SOC 2080X
Urban Issues: Poverty and Unemployment
Four Areas of Specialization6
Choose at least two courses in one of the following areas with Urban Poverty attributes.
Examples are:
Urban Poverty - Cycles of Exclusion
AAM 2000
Freedom Dreams: Intro to African American Studies
CCJ 3500
Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System
CMM 4320
Communicating Across Racial Divisions
PHIL 4820
Philosophy and Race
PSY 4330
Psychology of Oppression
Urban Poverty - Immigration and Globalization
ASTD 3020
American Mosaic: Literature & Diversity
LAS 3000
Introduction to Latin American Studies
POLS 3800
The Structure of Poverty: Globally and Locally
SOC 3180
Immigration
THEO 3415
Christ and Color: Liberation Theology
Urban Poverty - Health Care
HSCI 2000
The U.S. Health Care System
NURS 3100
Healthcare Policy, Finance and Regulatory Environments
PUBH 2300
Contemporary Issues in Global Health
SOC 2360
Health Inequalities in the U.S.
Urban Poverty - Theory of Social Justice
ENGL 2250
Conflict, Social Justice and Literature
PHIL 4840
Catholic Social Thought
POLS 3800
The Structure of Poverty: Globally and Locally
PSY 4330
Psychology of Oppression
THEO 2515
Social Justice
Additional Electives3
One additional course from any category with an Urban Poverty attribute.
Total Credits15

Non-Course Requirement: Community Service

At least four terms (or their equivalent) of approved community service, averaging at least 30 hours per term.

Substitutions

In unusual circumstances, students may (at the discretion of the director) substitute relevant courses not listed above by contracting with the instructor to write a substantive paper related to urban problems or community service. Contracts must be approved no later than the second week of classes.

Continuation of Standards

Students must have a GPA of 2.00 in urban poverty studies minor coursework to be retained in the minor.