POLI 203 - Politics and Inequality: The American Welfare State

Cross-Listed as AMST 203

The readings and assignments in this course are designed to help students understand how social policies and programs contribute to Americans’ lived experiences. We will examine various theoretical justifications for the policies that constitute the American welfare state, then confront and dissect major strands of the American social safety net to better understand how political institutions and policy mechanisms contribute to both diversity and inequality in individuals’ social, economic and political outcomes (based in race, class, gender, dis/ability, region, political jurisdiction, etc.). Alternate spring semesters. (4 Credits)