Poverty And Development

Use your textbook, included related websites (FYIs) with each ESSAY QUESTION, and any related powerpoint presentations that may be posted on the course homepage to respond to all five ESSAY QUESTIOS. Responses should be thorough, include definitions, examples, and demonstrate clear understanding of conceptual objectives listed on the Syllabus. Each response should be 4 type written pages in length.

*please read chp. 7, 8 and 9 (ALL ON POVERTY) and related fyi’s to address the following:

What is meant by a poverty line? Is this a realistic level? Compare and contrast absolute poverty and relative poverty? What do you think of the way we measure poverty? Give examples. Which explanations for poverty (individual, cultural, structural) do you think appeal to conservatives, liberals, and radicals? Explain and cite clear examples. After analyzing the history of social welfare programs and antipoverty efforts specifically, what themes have consistently occurred over the last 600 years? How have these themes affected how each era (1300s-1400s, 1500s-1600s, 1700s-1800s, 1900s, Present Day) has purported to resolve poverty? Give examples.

Fyi websites;

Poverty guidelines:

https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

Minimum wage by state:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm

Causes of poverty –

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Poverty.asp

FOOD STAMPS IN NJ

http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/governmentaid/hunger/foodstamps/njfoodstamps/

CHAPTER REVIEW:

Chp. 7 – Poverty the Central Concept

– stratification systems (open v. closed) (caste system v. class system)

– social mobility: horizontal/vertical/intergenerational

– concept of social class in the U.S.

– consequences of social stratification

– defining poverty – economic definitions v. cultural definitions

– absolute poverty; relative poverty

– measuring poverty

– Orshansky Index – poverty line

– 20/5 principle; trickle down theory

– Gregory Mantsios article: “Class in America: Myths& Realities”

Chp. 8 – The Nature and Causes of Poverty

– who are the poor (see Table 7.1, p. 194)

– levels of poverty (transitional, marginal, residual)

– explanations for poverty

– individual explanations

– biological, genetic, IQ theories)

– psychological theories (expectancy model, self-fulfilling prophecy)

– economic theories (human capital theories)

– cultural explanations

– structural explanations

– roles of each class

– which theories appeal to conservatives, liberals, radicals?

Chp. 9 – Historical Perspective on Antipoverty Efforts

– urban legend

– historical themes surrounding poverty

– English roots, 1300s, feudal system, Statute of Laborers 1349, enclosure movement, mercantilism, Protestant Reformation 1536

– Elizabethan Poor Laws 1601

– Colonial years, dual approach to poverty, protestant work ethic, indoor relief, custodial care

– Great Awakening and The Enlightenment

– Thomas Malthus, Jonathan Swift, Herbert Spencer

– early years of the Republic (late 1700s-middle 1800s), population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and immigration

– worthy v. unworthy poor

– indoor v. outdoor relief

– social transformation, reform, and reaction (late 1800s-mid 1900s – Victorian Era)

– Pittsburgh Survey

– private v. public antipoverty efforts

– Progressive Era and the Roaring Twenties

– federal response and the Welfare State (1930s-Present)

– Harry Hopkins, K. Galbreath, M. Harrington

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/in-plain-sight

In Plain Sight: News on Poverty & Inequality in the U.S.

Find the latest news and videos on the nation’s economic inequality. Read headlines and watch videos on poverty, wage gap, class in America, and more.