SWK 300 - Poverty in the United States

Working with persons experiencing poverty is a major focus of the social work profession. The primary purpose of this course is to examine the nature of poverty, both rural and urban, in the United States. To achieve this purpose, we will explore and examine the history of poverty in the United States, theories about the causes of poverty, and the effects of poverty on individual development. We will also examine the demographics of poverty and reflect on the co-occurrence of poverty and oppression. Finally, we will examine various policies and programs that have been designed to alleviate poverty, the effects and consequences of these efforts, and will explore and propose other possible intervention strategies.