Archived syllabus. Policies, dates, assignments, and readings reflect Spring 2011.
Course information
Economics 450G: Economics of Poverty and Welfare Programs
University of Kentucky
Spring Semester 2011
URL: http://gatton.uky.edu/faculty/yelowitz/450G/spring2011.html (historical link unavailable)
Lectures
Tuesday/Thursday, 2-3:15 pm, Business and Economics Building 315
Relevant info on me
Professor Aaron Yelowitz
Office: 335W Business and Economics Building
Office hours: Tuesday/Thursday, 12:30-2 pm, and by appointment.
Email: aaron@uky.edu
My background: I am an associate professor in the economics department. Before I joined UK, I was an assistant professor in the economics department at UCLA, from 1994 to 2001. I received my Ph.D. in economics from MIT in 1994, and my B.A. from UC Santa Barbara in 1990. My research interests have focused on low-income households – especially concerning the housing and health insurance decisions that these groups are faced with. I’ve also examined living wages and health insurance mandates more recently. In some parts of the course, particularly on the U.S. welfare system, I will incorporate some of my previous research.
Enrolling in this Class
If you want to enroll in this class, you need to talk to Debbie Wheeler in the economics department; she handles that.
Course Description
This course is designed to be an introduction to U.S. social welfare policy, with a particular focus on anti-poverty efforts. We will provide an overview of measurements and characteristics of the poor; alternative theoretical explanations of poverty; a historical overview of the major social welfare policies to combat poverty, and an appraisal of recent welfare reform policies. Attention will be given to the relationship between poverty research and current policies, and the effects of race and class on patterns of poverty and policy responses.
Prerequisites
ECO 401 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
Textbook
The required textbook is Bradley R. Schiller, “The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination,10th Edition,” Prentice Hall, 2003 (ISBN 0131889699). Earlier editions – such as the 8th or 9th edition – are acceptable substitutes. Please note that there are several new chapters in the 10th edition compared with earlier editions, we will not cover them.
Grading
- The final is on Friday, May 6, 2011, 8 am. The final will be cumulative. It will count for 35% of your grade. It lasts 2 hours. It is closed book/closed notes.
- You will be given two midterm tests. The first is on Thursday, February 17, 2011, and the second is on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Each will be worth 25% of your grade, for a total of 50%. Each exam will last 75 minutes.
- Homework: You will be given three homework assignments that will help you prepare for the exams. You are expected to do these on your own, and they will be graded. This will count for 10% of your grade.
- Class attendance: At five random times during the semester, I will take attendance. This will count for the final 5% of your grade.
Grading Policy
Grades will be based on midterms, homework, attendance and the final exam.
Procedure for re-evaluation of disputed exam scores: Requests must be submitted in writing with an explanation of the error the student believes has been made. Written requests and test sheet must be submitted within one week of the date on which the exams are returned. All tests submitted for re-evaluation will be entirely re-graded.
University Holidays/Cancelled Classes/Weather Issues
According to the university calendar, there will be no classes on March 15 or 17, for spring break. In the event that adverse weather makes it difficult to get to class, I reserve the right to modify the grading. For example, if a class is cancelled on a midterm day, I will likely administer the midterm at the next available class session. If weather makes it difficult to take the final exam on campus at the prescribed time, I reserve the right to make alternative arrangements (this is extremely unlikely for the Spring semester, but is more likely in the Fall semester). For example, one of my final exams from the Fall 2010 semester was administered by email (at the same time that the students were to have taken the exam in class), due to an ice storm, even though UK’s campus was only closed until 10 am. Put differently, if I believe that there is risk to you or me from traveling in adverse weather, I may modify class arrangements even if UK officials feel it is okay to risk our safety by travelling to campus.
Course outline and readings
I. The Dimensions of Poverty
A. View of Inequality and Poverty
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 1
B. Inequality
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 2
C. Counting the Poor
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 3
II. Causes of Poverty
A. Labor Force Participation
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 5
B. The Working Poor
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 6
C. Age and Health
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 7
D. Family Size and Structure
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 8
E. The Underclass: Culture and Race
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 9
F. Education and Ability
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 10
G. Discrimination in Education
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 11
H. Discrimination in the Labor Market
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 12
III. Policy Options
A. Welfare Programs
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 13
Yelowitz, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 1995
Currie and Yelowitz, Journal of Public Economics, 2000
B. Social Insurance Programs
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 14
C. Employment Policies
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 15
D. Equal Opportunity Policies
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 16
E. Directions and Prospects
Schiller, 10th edition, Chapter 17