Higher Learning: John Hopkins University Class Uses HBO Series, “The Wire” as Learning Tool

This semester, Johns Hopkins University students have incorporated the popular and former HBO series, “The Wire,” to discuss urban issues.

A new public health studies course called, “Baltimore and ‘The Wire’: A Focus on Major Urban Issues.”, uses the fictional but highly realistic world of the former TV series as a lens through which to view issues confronting not only Baltimore, but also other major American urban centers, from Detroit to Philadelphia to Los Angeles.

Taught by Peter Beilenso, the class uses the 60 episodes of the show as a textbook. Some of their assignments included, students visiting and writing about needle-exchange sites and juvenile justice centers, as well as writing memos suggesting recommendations to fix city problems. Learn more about the course here.