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Academic Year 2005/2006

Economics of Welfare Reform
ECON 123 FA

When economists and policy makers work together to "fix" a problem, the results are frequently surprising to both. The economic history of welfare reform provides multiple examples of unexpected outcomes. This course takes an in-depth look at the economics of welfare reform. We investigate this issue with an eye toward understanding what has gone wrong in the past, what successes can be recorded, and how future efforts can be improved. While exploring these issues, the course also introduces concepts that are crucial to a wide range of applications in economic analysis. Topics include the following: The negative income tax experiments, categorical programs vs. social insurance programs, fiscal federalism, family assistance plans, impacts on labor supply and demand, intergenerational transmission of poverty or welfare dependence, and the dynamics of poverty and welfare use.

MAJOR READINGS

Selections will be drawn from the following texts:
Hays, FLAT BROKE, WITH CHILDREN: WOMEN IN THE AGE OF WELFARE REFORM. (2003)
Smolensky, WELFARE REFORM: A PRIMER IN 12 QUESTIONS. (2001)
Edin, MAKING MEET: HOW SINGLE MOTHERS SURVIVE WELFARE AND LOW-WAGE WORK (1997)
Gordon, PITIED BY NOT ENTITLED: SINGLE MOTHERS AND THE HISTORY OF WELFARE, 1890-1935. (1994)
Katz, IN THE SHADOW OF THE POOR HOUSE.
Blank, IT TAKES A NATION

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short papers (3-5 pages), participation in class discussions, and one term paper (15-20 pages), in lieu of final exam.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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