ECON313 - Economics of Wealth and Poverty

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Academic Year 2003/2004

Economics of Wealth and Poverty
ECON 313 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 of 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 normative 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 for 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 Blank, IT TAKES A NATION Eden, MAKING ENDS MEET Gordon, PITIED BUT NOT ENTITLED

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

There will be several short writing assignments (2-3 pages) and a final paper (15-20 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.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: ECON300 AND ECON301

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Rayack,Wendy

Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC421

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 10 Jr. major: 10

SR. non-major: 0 Jr. non-major: 0 SO: 0 FR: 0

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Quantitative Reasoning

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004