2008 Summer Institute

July 27-August 2

Roosevelt University - Chicago, IL

Learn how the economy works and gain tools
to make your activism more effective.

CPE’s Summer Institute is a week-long intensive training in economics for activists, educators, and anyone who wants a better understanding of economics. We focus on the how the economic system impacts our lives, communities and work every day. Although activists from all over the world attend the Summer Institutes, classes and workshops are taught in English. No background in economics is required.

Core Classrooms At the heart of the Summer Institute program are two core courses, one on the U.S. Economy, one on the International Economy. All participants must choose one core course. The core classes meet each day in the mornings. Below is a sample of topics.

U.S. Economy

• Race, Class and Gender
• Labor and the workplace
• Macroeconomics: fiscal & monetary policy
• Introduction to international economics
• Economics of Immigration & Migration
• What’s the alternative?

International Economy

• Brief history of the global economy
• Development policies & neoliberalism
• Trade
• Globalization of Production
• International Finance
• Gender and globalization
• What’s the alternative?

Afternoon and evening events: In addition to the core courses is a rich selection of speakers, panels, workshops, videos, discussion groups and cultural events. All of these events are open to participants of both classes.

Schedules: For the schedule of events open to the public, click here. For particpants: a schedule of all Summer Institute events is here.

Special Track: Economics of Immigration and Migration Each year we choose an issue area that we focus on in the workshops, panels as well as in the core classrooms. This year’s special track is on the Economics of Immigration & Migration and will explore questions such as:

Who attends the Summer Institute? CPE’s Summer Institute draws a diverse group of participants from across the U.S. and around the world, with interests and expertise in a broad array of issues and organizing methods. On average, one-third of our participants are people of color, two-thirds are women, one-fifth are from countries other than the U.S., and ages range from 18-75. Together, they form a lively community in which participants learn as much from the rich interaction with one another as from Institute programs.

Fees: The fee for tuition for the week is $600. The fee for lodging in semi-suites at Roosevelt University is $300 for the week, including meals. A meal plan is available for those who are not staying on campus. If you feel that you cannot afford these fees, we strongly encourage you to apply for a scholarship. In past years around 80% of participants received scholarship assistance.

Scholarships: Our scholarships are based both on financial need and on the applicant’s commitment to activism. We are committed to making our programs financially accessible.

Location and Facilities: The 2008 Summer Institute will be held at Roosevelt University located in downtown Chicago.

Registration Click here for Summer Institute Registration Forum (Word Doc.)

Academic and professional development credit: Academic and professional development credit is available through the UMass-Amherst Continuing education Department. For more information email: programs@populareconomics.org or call us at (413) 545-0743.