Fall 2026
Perspectives on Global Inequalities
Dates: August 25, 2026 – December 08, 2026Day/Time: Tuesday 7:00 AM - 9:40 AM EDT
Level: 400-Level
Certificate: Global Studies
Global Studies certificate requirement: Introductory course on international relations, globalization, global affairs.
Instructor: Mahendran Chokkalingam, American University of Central Asia
This interdisciplinary course explores the causes, consequences, and historical aspects of global inequalities. The course begins by examining the concepts of inequality and how it is produced, maintained and reproduced in the modern world through foundational and contemporary theories. Building on these concepts, the course integrates various dimensions like colonialism, gender, race and class to examine the categorical nature of global inequality. The course draws on sociology, anthropology and political theory to present a holistic understanding on the issue. Examining case studies across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America through ethnographies the course situates inequalities within specific historical, cultural and political contexts demonstrating how structures of power operate in both global and local level. To ground the theories and concepts in lived experience, this course heavily relies on case studies and everyday observations for grounded perspectives on global inequalities.
Credits: 3 US / 6 ECTS