Views from Different Disciplinary Perspectives February 28, 2008

Theology Why are we in this class? What results do we want? What is our moral responsibility to the poor? –Do we need to be ecumenical in our answer? Panel of different religious approaches? –Religiously based vs other responses? What can we do for the poor other than to give them money?

American Studies/History What is the relationship between poverty and racial discrimination and segregation? What can we do to correct the overrepresentation of racial minorities among the poor. Does the higher incidence of poverty among female headed families reflect women’s historically inferior societal position?

More History What is the source of local tension between rich and poor in South Bend and how can this tension be dispelled. How does the of government policies and social and political situations affect poverty?

Science How do the poor view their own poverty? Do lower income patients benefit from advancements in medical care due to its escalating costs? How can we encourage physicians to engage in philanthropic service? Is a little knowledge a dangerous thing: self diagnosis and the Internet?

Business What about the good corporations? –Can corporations be socially responsible and ethical toward employees and consumers in a free market economy? Who could answer this question? –Can Wal*Mart maximize shareholder value while giving employees benefits and wages they deserve? Are the marketing practices of companies to blame for the high spending economy? Should we include household finance as a requirement in high school curricula?

Political Science Is a not so good job better than no job? How do other advanced countries approach poverty? Can we learn from their successes? Who or what stands in the way of better government policy? Would increased voter participation decrease need and inequality? The presentation is unbalanced. We need a two-sided perspective. What do you have in mind?

Sociology/Psychology/Anthropology Are surveys invalid if they are not grounded in the to the norms, expectations, and confidence of the community? What impact do stereotypes of poverty have on the poor? Does the social construction of what it means to be poor create a culture of poverty for those labeled poor, and if so what are the implications for long term poverty?