Legal Studies 359 - Law, Poverty and Class

This course will explore the impact of law on the lives of poor people in the United States. We will examine how and why ?poverty? has been defined, and the history of private and public responses to poverty. A review of various theories of the causes of poverty will lead us to an analysis of how the different forms of governmental response ? federal, state and local; legislative, judicial and regulatory ? have been rationalized by the decision-makers involved. Finally, we will delve into the lived experiences of poor people themselves and how the web of law and regulations that affect their lives are woven into their daily lives. Throughout the course, special attention will be paid to the intersections of race and gender with issues of poverty.

LEGAL 101 Students who have taken LEGAL 390P are not eligible to take this class.