SOCIOL 1197: Poverty in the United States

Nearly one in three residents of the United States lives close to the poverty line, and a growing number of people live in deep poverty, subsisting on less than $2 per day. This course examines the social world of poverty in the US today. It pays particular attention to the lived experiences of low-income people. It also examines the parallel sets of institutions low-income people must navigate—institutions that often perpetuate poverty, like low-wage jobs, systems of policing and surveillance, substandard schools and colleges, exploitative housing, and predatory financial services. The course places a heavy emphasis on firsthand experience and learning. We will have guest lectures from people whose work or life experiences relate to the course subject matter. Students will also complete several fieldwork assignments, doing things like observing eviction court, applying for food stamps, or interviewing someone making ends meet at a low-wage job.