DRAFT---PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE

Empowering Citizens of St. Louis

for a New Economy

A course offered by the Center for Theology and Social Analysis in St. Louis
beginning in January 2010.

As we examine the economy in St. Louis in its many manifestations, we will reflect on
what we are learning while asking how we can share the same experience with others.
Empowered by our investigation, we will ask how we can empower others.

Participants will read and engage in conversation.

Participants will choose an aspect of the City’s economy about which they are
particularly passionate and pursue that in depth for the five months.
As we read and discuss, we will be out and about in the City, interviewing,
photographing, video recording, cataloguing, chronicling.

Course participants will contribute their work to the course website throughout the five
month period. We will publish a book, Empowering Citizens of St. Louis
for a New Economy at the end of the course. Participants will continue the process by
gathering groups throughout the summer, making use of the website and book to expand
the circle.

I. Understanding the economic trends of the past 50 years

A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harvey

II. Understanding the propaganda and pedagogy that supports it

The Terror of Neoliberalism and/or
Against the Terror of Neoliberalism by Henry Giroux

III. Our experience in St. Louis, MO

Areas include:
o Education
o Transportation
o Food Growing and Selling
o Employment
o Housing
o Churches
o Media

Methodology
Interviews, photography, videography

Explore and describe pros---new, emerging models

Explore and describe cons---dominant neoliberal models
IV. Unleashing our imagination: Publish, Share, Teach

Website includes:

o Blogging and chronicling

o Photography
o Videography
o Art
o Poetry
o Music

Course:
Five months, January through May 2010
Initial gathering, Sunday, January 10 1-3 PM

$375 per participant

Options: Pay the fee yourself
Enlist 5 subscribers who will support the project for $75 each
Apply for a scholarship and pay on a sliding scale

Donors will be sought who might like to underwrite equipment, provide a

scholarship, help in the publishing and distribution of the book.

11/16/09 Draft