Addressing U.S. Poverty on the Local Level: Homelessness, Education, Health Care, Jobs

ECON32510/ESS30501/HESB43520
Prerequisites: Majors only through first two periods. One ECON course or by permission of the instructor. Recommended: Economics 335.
Mary Beckman

After discussing definitions of poverty and related controversies, and taking a general look at who is poor in this country, this course will focus on four arenas where poverty manifests itself: homelessness, education, health care, and jobs. We will visit local entities that are responding in each area: Center for the Homeless (CFH), Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC), Chapin Street Clinic, and the City’s Office of Economic and Community Development. We will analyze the work of these organizations through three lenses, one calling for relatively unfettered markets within a capitalist framework; another advocating interference in markets; and the last urging dramatic alterations in the capitalist market system itself. Students will be asked throughout the course to consider ways they might use their skills to address some aspect of poverty now and in later life. To provide additional spark to such thinking, we will add two local visits. First, we will go to the Near Northwest Neighborhood organization to hear about the faith-based choice of some individuals to live in that community and to learn about their work. Second, we will spend time at an organization focused on poverty-related research. This is a writing intensive course. Requirements: two hours a week of community service at CFH, RCLC, or Chapin Street Clinic.