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: At least 90 credits completed of 100/200 level courses, 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

College-Wide Learning Outcomes
This course teaches to the college-wide learning outcome of Cultural Humility, the ability to practice lifelong learning and critical self-reflection in order to understand one’s own cultural identity and its impact on being open to and supporting the cultures of others.

Total Hours: 50 Theory (Lecture) Hours: 50