MEDIA ADVISORY: Urban Sociology Expert to Speak at MU about Effects of the Black Market in the Urban Ghetto

March 7th, 2011

By Brad Fischer

WHAT: Sudhir Venkatesh, an acclaimed researcher of urban sociology, will speak at the Human Development & Family Studies Diversity Lecture. His lecture is entitled “Black Market Justice: Maintaining Law and Order in the Urban Ghetto.”

Venkatesh is a regular writer for Slate.com, and his stories have been featured on “This American Life” for National Public Radio and other outlets. His research was featured in Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. Venkatesh’s editorials have appeared in The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post. He also has directed documentaries on National Public Radio and PBS. Venkatesh’s most recent book, Gang Leader for a Day, received a best book award from The Economist.

The event is sponsored by the MU Department of Human Development & Family Studies, the Chancellor’s Distinguished Visitor Program, the Truman School of Public Affairs, the School of Journalism, the School of Law, the Department of Sociology and the School of Social Work.

WHO: Sudhir Venkatesh, William B. Ransford Professor of Sociology, Columbia University

WHERE: Allen Auditorium
Arts and Science Building
MU Campus

WHEN: 3 p.m., March 7

NOTE: This event is free and open to the public.