How does the 1 percent rule? This course examines the ways that corporate and financial capital have set the terms for public policy and civic life, and more recently provoked political resistance as illustrated by Occupy Wall Street. Our readings draw from the social sciences, business literature, news media, and activist writings. Topics include the mechanics of elite power, trends in widening socioeconomic inequality, corporate influence over elections and civic culture, the ascent of global finance, and demands of the Occupy movement.

As a Freshman Writing Seminar, this course includes a substantial focus on the crafts of writing, revision and research that are essential to a Vassar College education. Students will practice a range of narrative styles — such as empirical analysis, autobiographical reflection, social criticism, and posing hypotheses for further investigation — that can be used in the social sciences and other kinds of fact-based writing.