POLS 5310 - Politics, Policy, and Poverty

Credits: 3

This course examines political and public policy debates about the problem of poverty in the U.S. The course begins with ethnographic accounts of living in poverty and a poverty simulation. Students then read leading social and political science explanations for what causes poverty, including family, culture, social structure, and political power. Finally, students will read and debate a variety of public policy solutions to poverty, including welfare reform, income transfers, education, and reducing income inequality. Throughout the course, students will learn and practice tactics of political advocacy to promote a poverty solution of their choice. Ultimately, students will leave this course with the knowledge and skills to be an informed, active, and engaged citizen about policy issues they care about. Credit cannot be earned for both POLS 4310 and POLS 5310.

Repeatable:
No