How did capitalism come to define nearly every aspect of modern life—and what are its true costs? In this seminar, we’ll trace the evolution of industrial and global capitalism, uncovering how it shapes our politics, economies, and even our daily choices. Together, we’ll explore the deep interconnections between capitalism and some of the most urgent challenges of our time—from environmental degradation and global inequality to militarism, imperialism, and the financialization of everyday life. By examining history, policy, and cultural narratives, we’ll gain the tools to question what many assume to be the only way to organize society. Finally, we’ll consider movements for reform and resistance, asking how people around the world are reimagining more equitable and sustainable futures. This is a course for anyone ready to think critically, engage deeply, and explore the forces that shape our shared world.
Consequences of Capitalism
Meet Your Instructor
MARV WATERSTONE is Professor Emeritus in the University of Arizona’s School of Geography, Development & Environment and former director of the university’s Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Comparative Cultural and Literary Studies. His research and teaching explore the political and economic forces that shape global systems, with a focus on capitalism, social justice, and transformative change. He is the co-author, with Ian Shaw, of Wageless Life: A Manifesto for a World Beyond Capitalism (University of Minnesota Press, 2019) and, with Noam Chomsky, of Consequences of Capitalism: Manufacturing Discontent and Resistance (Haymarket Books, 2021).
Location
POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States
Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.
