Harvard will offer a course on The Wire next year. From The Harvard Crimson:

“‘The Wire’ has done more to enhance our understanding of the systemic urban inequality that constrains the lives of the poor than any published study” Sociology Professor William J. Wilson said.

African American studies chair Professor Evelyn B. Higginbotham said that there would be a new course in which Wilson will use “The Wire” as a case study for poverty in America.

What do you think about this class? I know there are some who would criticize it as a semester of watching TV, but I disagree. If I were still in college, I would jump at the chance to take a class like this. A show like The Wire is just begging for classroom-based context and analysis. The study of pop culture definitely has a place in academia–though you won’t see me arguing for a course on Jon & Kate any time soon.

HT: Double X.

I walked past what used to be the Court Towers Deli today in Towson and saw something I haven’t seen in 19 months: people eating.

The Perring Place Express Deli was doing a dry run during breakfast, its second dress rehearsal in a week. The deli, as I’ve chronicled here before, was originally supposed to open by the end of September.

I popped in as the maroon-shirted staffers were preparing to close, so I have no report on the food. (Sources indicated it was tasty, however.) A lady behind the counter said the restaurant could open officially on Monday, although the inflection of her voice seemed to indicate it was more of a prediction than a statement of fact.

I guess we’ll all find out next week.