I am still in the early stages of developing the poverty-humanities component I wish to add to my Sociology 100 course for Spring 2022.
At this point I’m thinking that I would like to design it as a pairing of sociology and literature texts that inform each other and encourage the students to think in a more expansive way about the many dimensions of poverty, including how it may impact their own lives or the lives of those around them.
I am thinking of having a writing assignment for the course where students are required to write a short essay reflecting on the two sets of texts in connection with each other.
I have some ideas about which sociology texts to include, such as a short piece from Erik Olin Wright or an excerpt from one of the following texts: Matthew Desmond’s Evicted, Ira Katznelson’s When Affirmative Action Was White, or Frances Fox Piven’s and Richard Cloward’s Poor People’s Movements.
I am eager for suggestions on sociology texts to include and especially eager for suggestions on literature texts to include (these can be essays, short stories, an excerpt of a play, etc.).
Amy Traver
It’s great to see another sociologist thinking about this, Zalman. While I have yet to read this book, it’s on my list: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/poorly-understood-9780190881382?cc=us&lang=en&#
It seems to present an interdisciplinary interrogation of the myths surrounding poverty (one of the authors is a sociologist).
I really like Erin Hatton’s work on temporary labor (and poverty). “The Temp Economy” and the articles she’s published from it are great examples of using historical-sociology to uncover the relationship between gender and work/work and poverty.
Finally, you mention an organizing angle – what about Jane McAlevey’s work or bits from Greenhouse’s new book? Neither are sociologists (both are reporters), but both are firmly rooted in the study of labor organizing.
Finally, I’ve got “Automating inequality” on my list, which looks at poverty and tech. Something to think about, too!
AngelaRidinger-Dotterman
Ideas for short texts:
Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “The Lesson”
Eudora Welty’s short story “A Work Path”
Baizley and Ann-Lewis’s play P.H.*reaks: A Hidden History of People with Disabilities, especially the scenes about the circus freak show and the New Deal
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short fiction about women’s economies, e.g. “Bee Wise” and “Making a Change.”
Mary E. Wilkins Freeman’s short stories about impecunious older single women, independence, and interdependence, especially “A Church Mouse,” “A Mistaken Charity,” and “Christmas Jenny”
Angela F Ridinger-Dotterman
Ideas for short texts:
Bambara’s short story “The Lesson”
Welty’s short story “A Worn Path”
selections from Baizley and Ann-Lewis’s play P.H.*reaks: The Hidden History of People with Disabilities, especially the scenes focusing on the circus and the New Deal
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short stories on women and economies, especially “Making a Change” and “Bee Wise”
Mary E. Wilkins Freeman’s short stories about impecunious older single women and care economies, especially “A Church Mouse,” “A Mistaken Charity,” and “Christmas Jenny”