Students will be exposed to the long history of economic insecurity and poverty in America.

Students will explore the multiple individual, economic, and financial decisions that contribute to an individual/family entering poverty.

Students will explore the multiple individual, economic, and financial decisions that contribute to an individual/family exiting poverty. 

Through in-class activities, students will be encouraged to develop or increase their capacity for empathy for the impoverished individual/family’s perspective, as well as an increased awareness of cultural differences that may contribute to their poverty status.   

During the semester, students will understand and apply evaluation criteria to current local, state, and federal government public assistance policies affecting low-income and/or impoverished consumers. 

By the end of the semester, students will understand the different methodologies used to measure economic insecurity and poverty. 

Ultimately, students will propose decision-making and/or policy changes that could positively impact an individual’s or family’s poverty status.

History of Poverty in America
	19th Century
	20th Century
	21st Century
Measuring Poverty in America
	The Census Bureau
	The Department of Health and Human Services
Consumer Decision-making Models
	Social Models
	Psychological Models
	Economic Models
	Financial Models
Poverty Contributing Variables
	Education
	Employment
	Family Structure
	Family Size
	Substance Abuse
	Social Injustice
	Cultural Norms
Needs-based Programs
	SNAP
	TANF
	WIC
	HUD
Methodologies to Determine Effectiveness of Needs-based Programs:
	Needs Assessments
	Cost-benefit Analysis
Program Proposals
	Student Generated