Class Descriptions

Poverty, Inequality, & Anti-Poverty Policy in the US

SW646

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political	Elective (Host)
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families

Course Description

This course will survey the major theoretical explanations for poverty and inequality, examine how poverty and inequality are conceptualized and measured throughout the globe, and expose students to contemporary policy responses and proposals to alleviate poverty, both in the U.S. and elsewhere, Students will consider how various anti-poverty efforts do or do not promote social justice values.

Objectives

Through this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and critique various explanations for the existence of poverty and inequality;
2. Understand how those explanations shape public policy responses;
3. Analyze the strengths and shortcomings of current anti-poverty efforts

Design

The course will utilize a combination of lecture, in class exercises, and discussion.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.