Search Results

This course will begin with a theoretical overview of the relationship between race, gender and poverty.  We will look at definitions and sources of economic inequality, emerging discourses of poverty in the early 20^th century, and changing perceptions of “the poor” over the course of American history. We will examine race and gender segmentation in the labor market, racial and gender conflict in the union movement, ideological foundations of the welfare state, cultural constructions of single motherhood, political debates about the “underclass,” as well as contemporary campaigns to alleviate poverty.  Our goal is to think critically about discourses of poverty and welfare as well as antipoverty, labor and feminist organizing.