SOC 311 Poverty in America

5 credits

This course examines the nature and extent of poverty in the United States. Students will review dominant views of poverty, how poverty is measured, characteristics of poor populations, international comparisons, underlying causes of poverty, and government programs and policies which address poverty. This course includes an examination of homelessness, as an example of severe poverty.

This course meets the Social Science general education distribution requirement.

Prerequisites: Admission to a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program and completion of ENGL& 101 and a college-level social science course

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Compare and evaluate definitions of poverty
Articulate systemic causes of poverty and homelessness in the United States
Identify groups at highest risk of poverty
Analyze multiple types of homelessness
Evaluate evidence-based practices to prevent or respond to poverty and homelessness
Detail the scope, eligibility criteria, and application process for services such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security retirement benefits, SSDI, SSI, TANF, Disability Lifeline, HEN, and SNAP
Distinguish Housing First principles from prior responses to homelessness
Explain King County’s use of Clarity HMIS and Coordinated Entry for All

General Education Distribution Area Outcomes
Students who successfully complete required courses in the Social Science distribution area will be able to:

Explain at least one social science theory
Analyze social issues and problems in the context of social science

Total Hours: 50 Theory (Lecture) Hours: 50