Economics of Poverty, Inequality and Discrimination

Catalog description

This course examines the phenomenon of poverty and the role of discrimination as a potential contributing cause. The course has a strong policy focus including examination of recent policy debates on welfare reform and affirmative action. The course begins with a discussion of the definition and measurement of the poor in the US and in developing economies. This discussion is followed by an examination of differing views of the causes of poverty. Next, the role of racial, class, and sex discrimination in both education and the labor market is considered. The remainder of the class focuses on policy options including welfare programs, employment policies, and equal opportunity policies. 54.00 hours lecture. (Letter grade only)