ALS 561 - Poverty, Social Structure and the American Family 3 s.h.

This course examines the long term persistence of family poverty in the United States. Viewed in its qualitative and quantitative dimensions, family poverty, and attempts to alleviate it, are first examined in the historical context, including the evolution of social welfare policies and practices. Class, ethnicity, residence patterns, family composition, educational issues, religion and rural/urban differences are also examined. Contemporary public and private responses to poverty serve as a context for examining current topics in family poverty, particularly those that effect professional educators.
Prerequisite(s): GrS and consent of instructor.