EDU 506 - Poverty and Education

Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Bachelor’s degree
Term: Varies

The influence of income on the well-being of children, youth, and families is pervasive and persists throughout the lifespan and across generations. An extensive and interdisciplinary literature has documented the widespread influence of family income on children’s cognitive, socioemotional, and physical development, as well as later vocational and educational success. In this course, we will come to understand how poverty impacts education through a systems approach. We will study theoretical perspectives from economics, sociology, psychology, and education for understanding how poverty affects children’s well-being as well as the multiple contexts in which children grow. We will also look at resilience and ways that children can avoid the negative outcomes of living in poverty. This course will pay special attention to rural poverty and how it differs from urban poverty. Application of theory and research to practice will be emphasized throughout this course.