SOC207

Why are millions of people poor in this rich country? Why are the richest 1% getting so much wealthier? One focus of the course is how the rules of the economy have changed in the last 30 years to favor wealthy individuals and corporations. How can unjust economic policies be changed? The second focus of the course is on the power of the federal government to outlaw some exploitive practices and promote shared prosperity. The US Senate in particular has a powerful influence on economic inequality, for better or for worse. Students will evaluate Senate candidates? policy positions related to wealth and poverty and articulate their own opinions about controversial economic policy debates.