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Academic Year 2000/2001

Economics of Wealth and Poverty
ECON 226 FA

Who are the very wealthy and how do they acquire their wealth? Why is poverty still with us after three decades of antipoverty programs? What explains rising inequality in the distribution of income? What types of welfare reform are most likely to succeed? These are just a few of the questions that we will be addressing in this course using cross-country comparisons, perspectives from economic history, and the tools of modern-day economic analysis. The problem of scarcity and the question of production for whom are basic to the study of economics. Virtually all courses in economics address this topic. Yet few study the distribution of income among households in depth. This course takes a close look at evidence on the existing distribution o f income and at the market and nonmarket forces behind the allocation process. A central topic throughout the course is the role of policy in changing the level of poverty and inequality. Specific topics to be covered include the following: the normati ve debates surrounding the notions of equality and inequality, analytic tools for measuring and explaining income inequality, determinants of wage income and property income, the importance of inheritance, the feminization of poverty, and policy options f or reducing poverty.

MAJOR READINGS

Wolff, ECONOMICS OF POVERTY, INEQUALITY, AND DISCRIMINATION Danziger and Gottschalk, AMERICA UNEQUAL Wolff, TOP HEAVY: THE INCREASING INEQUALITY OF WEALTH Ruggles, DRAWING THE LINE: ALTERNATE POVERTY MEASURES: THEIR IMPLICATIONS Bane and Ellwood, WELFARE REALITIES

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

There will be several short writing assignments (3-5 pages), two in-class quizzes, and a final paper (20-25 pages) in lieu of a final exam. Class participation will be counted.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions. No late papers or assignments; no unexcused absences. Please note that if you do not match one of the prerequisite listings EXACTLY, then you need a prerequisite override. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS ECON    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: ECON105 OR (ECON111 AND ECON112) Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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