Poverty Law: Introduction and Overview

This one-credit survey course will cover selected topics in American poverty law and policy, with an emphasis on federal poverty relief. Topics covered will include the U.S. Supreme Court's poverty jurisprudence, the history of federal welfare policy, and historical and present-day debates about poverty in housing, education, health care, and other social domains. Students will have responsibility for reading 50-100 pages for each week's discussion. Mandatory P/F, and grade will be based on attendance and participation (one excused absence consistent with passing grade).