| Description: |
This course focuses on how law creates and reinforces social and economic conditions in society, especially those impacting the poor. Questions addressed include: What does it mean to be poor? Why are some people poor? What kinds of problems face the poor? Specific sub-populations of the poor? How does the law impact on these problems, for better or worse? How do courts and legislatures contribute to solutions? A body of caselaw setting out the legal framework for analysis of poverty and poverty-related policies will be considered, along with the writings of economists, social scientists, and theorists regarding a wide range of public policy issues. We will focus heavily on the social welfare system, but will also review related areas of law including workforce development, education, health care, housing, family, criminalization, economics, and human rights. |
