What does our culture think about those in poverty, and how does this compare to

What does our culture think about those in poverty, and how does this compare to the reality of living in poverty? This assignment asks you to examine cultural beliefs about poverty against data and research. Students will use their own understanding of the stereotypes about those in poverty, as well as those presented in media. Using the attached documentary, students will choose one aspect of poverty that most people do not understand or a stereotype about those living in poverty. They will analyze this stereotype or misunderstanding using data, their own experiences playing the SPENT game, and their own research into poverty. The goal of this assignment is to use research and data to determine what poverty in the US is, why the stereotypes are invalid, and how we can better understand and solve poverty.
Estimated Time Commitment
1-3 hours (1 hour to watch the documentary; 1 hour to compile research, find terms, and outline the argument; 1 hour to construct the paper or video).
Assignment Instructions
1. Watch this documentary Growing Up Poor In AmericaLinks to an external site.. (Links to an external site.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAxQltlGodA
2. You have two choices for the completion of this assignment; you may choose to either write a short paper (2-3 pages) your goal is to present the information you’ve gathered from class (lecture notes/textbook) and the documentary and use it to prove the stereotypes of poverty to be false. Include at least one way we can counter poverty or the impacts of poverty (like lack of access to education or inequality in the justice system, for example) through a specific change to culture, social institutions, or social structure.
3. Instructions:
You are required to use a minimum of 3 terms/concepts from the class from any of the chapters we have covered – terms must be used in a meaningful way that adds to your paper; definitions are encouraged (definitions require citation). The terms Poverty, Social Class, Absolute Poverty, Relative Poverty, and Subjective Poverty do not count toward the 3 required terms (you can use them, but you need at least 3 more terms to meet the required minimum). Must include the words boat and egg.
You are required to use at least two quotes or examples of data from the documentary. Be sure to explain/cite where it is from.
You are required to use examples, including an example from your Play SPENT experience.
You are required to use a specific example of how we can change social institutions, social structure, or culture to counter poverty or the impacts of poverty; this example must come from your class, the documentary, or additional research.
If you use additional sources, be sure to include in-text citation and reference. You are not required to reference the documentary or spent, but you do need to use in-text citation stating that is what you are using. There is information on APA reference and citation in the Important Information Module.
Completion Criteria
See Rubric for completion and grading criteria.
(Links to an external site.)
Submit the assignment here. If submitted late, you will lose 5% per day for each day late, up to 7 days late. After that, no points will be awarded.