Poverty and Literature 2015

This course investigates the evolution of American attitudes and policies toward urban poverty during the 20th century. We will study the ways that poverty has been depicted in various media. Readings will include sections from Dickens’ American Notes, Crane’s Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, Lemann’s The Promised Land, Wright’s Native Son, Liebow’s Talley’s Corner, Wilson’s Jitney, and Hobbs’ The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace. The course includes an experiential learning unit at a local elementary school where we will help 5^th graders as they prepare to take the annual MSA standardized tests in reading, writing and mathematics.