ECON226

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ECON226

Economics of Wealth and Poverty ECON226 FA

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times
1	35	6	Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:01:03 EST 1998 )

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 non-market 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; amd policy options for reducing poverty, including labor market solutions and direct income transfers.

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: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS ECON

Prerequisites: ECON105 or ECON111 and ECON112

Section 01: Rayack, W; Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;; Grading Mode: Mixed; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 2, So: 3, Fr: 0; Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

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