Requirements
The Poverty Studies Curriculm
As an interdisciplinary minor, Poverty Studies identifies courses across the University with a strong emphasis on poverty. Faculty from all disciplines are invited to design courses for the minor and register them with the administration. Students are invited to design their own emphasis from the diverse list of offerings.
Poverty Studies Interdisciplinary Minor students take four types of courses, for a total of 15 or 16 credit hours:
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Gateway Course: "Introduction to Poverty Studies" (3 credits)
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Experiential Courses (3 or 4 credits, depending on the option chosen)
- Electives (6 credits)
- Capstone Seminar or Special Studies Capstone (3 credits)
"Introduction to Poverty Studies" is offered in both the Fall and Spring (use the Class Search Subject filter called "Poverty Studies" to locate this course). The Capstone Seminar is typically only offered in the Fall, although the Special Studies Capstone can be completed in either semester. Experiential courses are listed with the experiential learning requirements and full descriptions can be found at the Center for Social Concerns (click here and select the desired semester for course descriptions). Electives can be found through Class Search by first selecting all subjects, then selecting the attribute called "PSIM--Poverty Studies Elect."
I. Gateway Course: "Introduction to Poverty Studies"
(3 credits)
PS 20000
The gateway course introduces students to academic research about the nature, causes, and consequences of poverty, and enables them to contribute to the field. Readings and lectures reveal the interdisciplinary nature of poverty studies, enhance our understanding of what it means to be poor and of the array of interlocking problems that lead to poverty, and guide the formulation of policies to prevent and alleviate poverty. Although the emphasis will be on the poor citizens of the United States, the lessons (such as the methodology for measuring poverty) cross cultural boundaries and have relevance for poverty in other parts of the world, including the developing nations.
II. Experiential Learning (3 or 4 credits)
The experiential learning requirement is designed to get students into the field, where classroom concepts come-to-life, disciplinary boundaries are challenged, and students contribute to community life in a meaningful way. Experiential learning will enhance students' understanding of poverty and prepare them for the final capstone experience, whether it is the seminar or an independent project. The experiential learning requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing one of the following options:
A. Three designated one-credit Center for Social Concerns Seminars combined with the one-credit course PS 30001 (4 credits total); or
B. Three credits of internship(s) with community agencies and organizations addressing poverty. PS 30002, PS 34002 or SOC 45000 and the one-credit course PS 30001 (4 credits total); or
C. One approved three-credit community-based learning or research course. Includes courses taught on campus, a Center for Social Concerns Summer Service Learning Program course or internship focused on poverty (domestic or international), and the "Approaches to Poverty and Development: Santiago, Chile" course. (3 credits total)
Click here for complete details on the Experiential Learning Requirement.
III. Electives (6 credits)
Two courses from the list of approved Poverty Studies Electives. The complete list of electives is available through Class Search by selecting all disciplinary subjects and the "PSIM--Poverty Studies Elect." attribute. Contact poverty@nd.edu if you need assistance searching for courses or want to propose that a course have this attribute added.
Students studying abroad may take one 3-credit elective toward their minor, with prior approval from the PSIM director, Dr. Jennifer Warlick, or co-director, Dr. Connie Mick. Classes that have been previously approved carry the PSIM attribute and can be identified via class search for the appropriate campus. If a class does not already have an attribute but you think it might qualify, please contact the PSIM program.
IV. Capstone Experience (3 credits)
As the final step in the PSIM, students can choose either to enroll in the Capstone Seminar or to undertake a three-credit special studies project directed by one of the affiliated faculty.
A. Capstone Seminar
PS 40000
The Capstone Seminar will be topic-oriented drawing on literature from multiple disciplines. Students will come from different majors and will play a role in selecting the topics for focus. They will share perspectives of their major disciplines as well as their varied experiences in the field thus ensuring that interdisciplinary nature of the inquiry. Students will engage in various ways with poverty-related programs, communities, and experts.
B. Special Studies Capstone Option
PS 40001
Students may also opt for an intense research or other intellectual experience by enrolling in special studies with one of the PSIM affiliated faculty. In this case the student will produce a product (manuscript, work of art, composition, poster board of research results, etc.) that can be displayed, and will present this product to the members of the PSIM and others involved in the work (e.g., non-profit organization representatives in the case of community-based research) at a special colloquium held in the Spring Semester of each academic year. Students must contact the professor at least one semester prior to enrolling in the course and write a proposal approved by that faculty member and a PSIM Director prior to the students' registration period. For example, a student who wishes to complete the Special Studies Capstone the Fall of her senior year must have a proposal approved by her PSIM project advisor and a PSIM Director by the first week of April in the Spring of her junior year. Students should plan ahead for this option. PSIM faculty will only accept carefully crafted proposals that correspond with their interests and availability. Click here for detailed guidelines on the Special Studies Capstone course.
* Graduation Progress and Double Counting Courses
See your primary advisor for official confirmation of graduation progress, but note that depending on your primary college, you may be able to double count one University requirement with one requirement for PSIM, such as a second Theology course that has a poverty focus, which could count for the PSIM elective as well the second Theology. The course must have the attribute for both requirements to count as such. Arts and Letters and the College of Science both accept this type of double count one time in your college career; similarly, both of these Colleges will not count a course toward both a major and minor. Talk with a PSIM director if you have further questions or want to propose that a course have the PSIM attribute added.
