Social Work 360K, Sociology 352, Anthropology 324LProfessorTeaching AssistantCourse DescriptionCourse RequirementsCourse GradesCourse ReadingsCourse CalendarSocial Work 360K, Sociology 352, Anthropology 324L Studies of United States Poverty Unique Number: SW 66160, Soc 47757, Ant 30960 Class Time: Monday, Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:00 (PAR 201) Alternate Fridays, 1:00 – 3:30 (PAR 301) Professor Laura Lein Office: SSW 3.212D Office Hours: M and W 11:00-12:00 or by appointment Phone: 471-9248 Email: [email protected] Teaching Assistant Pepper McCoy Office Hours: Tuesdays, 10-11, TA Office (SSW 3.112) or by appointment Email: [email protected] Course Description This course will explore the implications of persistent poverty in the United States, drawing on a range of approaches including both qualitative accounts of poverty and statistical analyses. We will review the major social theories that have contributed to definitions and explanations of poverty. We will explore the kinds of approaches social scientists take to the study of poverty and the kinds of explanations that result. Furthermore, we will discuss the ethical issues that emerge from undertaking research on other people, particularly those impoverished, and then releasing the findings to them and to others. We will emphasize, in particular, the diverse groups that make up the United States and their distinctive experiences with poverty marked by gender, race, and ethnicity. In all of our studies, we will examine the impact of poverty research on current social stereotypes, social policies, and institutions in the United States. The course will draw on lecture presentations, exercises, and the viewing and discussion of images of poverty in film. At the end of the course, each student should be able to: 1. Review the basic threads of social theory that have led to current definitions of poverty; 2. Distinguish among and critique diverse definitions of poverty; 3. Discuss and critique the social science techniques that have been brought to bear on the study of persistent poverty; 4. Discuss the impact of poverty on individuals, families, and communities; 5. Define a number of key concepts in social welfare policy; 6. Relate public perceptions of poverty to the development of policy.Course Requirements The course requirements include: * Three exams: All three exams will be scheduled during regular class periods. * Five exercises with essays exploring services for and experiences of impoverished families in Austin; * A portfolio of seven reviews of films on poverty. CLASS ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend class regularly, including the Friday film viewings. Class presentations will assume you have heard the lecture materials, viewed the films, and completed assigned readings. The lecture slides will be provided to students each week, after the lectures, on the course web site. However, these are notes: If you do not attend the lectures, the notes will not make much sense. Students missing a class will be responsible for consulting with either the faculty member or the teaching assistant about catching up with material that was missed. FILMS: Films reflecting the portrayal of poverty in film will be presented on alternate Fridays. Students missing a film will be responsible for arranging to see it at another time. TESTS: Two tests will be given on regular class days, and there will be no final during the regular final exam period. Each test will include both multiple choice questions and short essays. EXERCISES AND ANALYSES ON POVERTY: In the course of the semester, students will respond to five exercises related to the experience of poverty, including an analytic essay. Some of these will involve visits to a community site; some will respond to in-class exercises; some will involve research on services available for low-income families. REVIEWS OF FILMS: We will be viewing seven films in the course of the semester, and students will respond to each film with an answer to questions specific to that film and also drawing on materials from class. Film reviews will be due the Wednesday after the movie. Course Grades Grades for each assignment will carry the following weight toward the final grade. First Test 15% Second test 15% Final test 20% Journal Entries 5% each, for a total of 50% 2All assignments must be typed and turned in on time on paper at the beginning of the class when they are due. Assignments may not be turned in through e-mail or the course web site. No late assignments will be accepted, but the lowest two journal grades will be dropped (including a zero if the assignment was missed). Make-up exams will only be given in the event of a serious illness or emergency, and documentation is required. Final grades will be assigned according to the following scale: 90 and above = A; 80-89.5 = B; 70-79.5 = C; 60-69.5 = D; below 60 = F. All assignments must be submitted (except for the two dropped journal grades) in order for a grade to be assigned at all. Course Readings The required textbook is: Diana M. DiNitto. 2005 or 2007 edition. Politics and Public Policy. Longman. Textbook and supplementary readings are assigned each week as noted in the syllabus. Readings will all be available electronically on the course web site. Additional readings may be added periodically. The course web site is on Blackboard, and it will be demonstrated during the first meetings of the class. It includes a forum for asking questions of the faculty, an electronic grade book, access to the lecture notes for each class presentation, as well as access to supplementary readings. Announcements concerning the course will also be made on the web site. Students in the class are responsible for checking the web site regularly. The formal announcement of a Blackboard course is at the end of this syllabus. The Blackboard web site includes more information concerning policies for students with disabilities, accommodations for religious holidays, the student e-mail policy, the honor code, and other matters. Course Calendar Week One: August 29 Introduction to the course, faculty, and teaching assistants Review of the syllabus. Overview of the class web site. Introduction to the Politics of Poverty Be sure to check the course web site to make sure you know how to use it.