Course Descriptions
B8234: Financial Empowerment Lab NYC
Financial Empowerment Lab NYC is a new experiential course at Columbia University for business and law students, being developed by Professors Stephen Zeldes and Ed Morrison, which will launch in Spring 2025 (running mid-January through late April). The course will focus on financial health and empowerment in underserved NYC communities, including Harlem and Washington Heights. Teams of 3-4 students each will partner with local non-profits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) on a semester-long project that will culminate in a pre-specified deliverable. In the process, students will be exposed to clients of the organization, develop a better understanding of the financial and legal challenges facing underserved populations, and work on a project that will help the organization better fulfill its mission. This course emphasizes practical learning, innovative problem-solving, and strategic collaboration, enabling students to apply their skills in a meaningful context that contributes to economic justice and positive social change.
Students are accepted into the course by application only. See the application page for more details. Applications are due Monday, October 28, 2024.
Tamer course information session: Monday, October 21, 12:30 - 1:30 (lunch provided with signup).
Syllabus: TBA soon.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to faculty (see links above) or course assistant Joy Botros.