Of all big cities in the United States, Cleveland has the highest poverty rate. This has been declared by the United States Census Bureau's report Poverty in the United States: 2002. In light of this fact, the Cleveland Plain Dealer has been running an in-depth report: The Price of Poverty. Please visit this site for the latest local information on our city's fight against poverty. Listed below are some specific articles that appeared in the Plain Dealer:

• Hunger Moves into the Suburbs (April 4, 2005)
  
• A Look Inside How the Poor Survive (February 13, 2005)
  
• Report: Glaring Disparity Exists Between Rent, Minimum Wage (December 21, 2004)
  
• Ohio's Working Poor Need More Assistance, Study Says (November 16, 2004)
  
• Homeless, Poor, Unemployed Speak Out About Poverty Issues (November 14, 2004)
  
• Tackling Poverty: A Progress Report (October 25, 2004)
  
• Cleveland's Seen Hard Times a Long Time (September 5, 2004)
  
• Region, Not Just City, Must Focus on Jobs (August 31, 2004)
  
• Cleveland No. 1 in Big City Poverty: Nearly Half of Children Among the Poor (August 27, 2004)

Cleveland State students who wish to learn more about poverty can choose undergraduate classes from a variety of disciplines. Please check the current class schedules for availability.

Economics

• ECN 311 Economic History of the United States (3-0-3). Economic development of agriculture, commerce, money and banking, industry, labor, and government.
• ECN 333 Economics of Health Care (4-0-4). Prerequisite: ECN 202 or equivalent. Overview of health and the features of medical-care markets; economic analysis of demand for medical care including the role of uncertainty and insurance on demand; supply of medical care and the role of doctors, hospitals and insurance on supply side; organizational form of health-care markets and policy issues in financing and resource allocation; international dimensions of health-care issues.
• ECN 470 Urban Economics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: ECN 201 and ECN 202 or equivalent. Theory concerning development and growth of cities; land rent and land use patterns, suburbanization, and control; discussion of urban problems and issues such as poverty and public policy, housing market, discrimination; and local government finance.

Health Care Administration

• HCA 301 The American Health Care System (3-0-3). Course introduces the student to the health-care system by concentrating on current arrangements for the organization, financing, and delivery of medical-care services in the United States. Emphasizes the concepts of accessibility, quality, efficiency, and the effectiveness of medical care. Counts as a non-business elective for business students.

Health

• HED 450 Theories in Health Education and Health Behavior (4 hours). Provides the student with a broad theoretical base for the analysis of healthy/unhealthy behaviors. The research and theoretical literature will be reviewed in areas such as socio-cultural and environmental factors associated with health behaviors, communications, and behavior change strategies in health education. It is hoped that this course will assist the student in the planning and development of effective health education and health promotion programs. An examination of health education and health promotion in terms of historical and philosophical development also will be included.

History

• HIS 227 Power, Authority, and Society in Nonwestern Communities (3-0-3). An examination from an historical perspective of the way selected groups of Asian, African, and Latin American societies organize themselves with respect to power and authority to cope with a set of similar social problems. Attention will also be given to how changes take place in political organization and in political cultural identity, particularly at the mass level. The course makes extensive use of popular texts and stories, photographs and video, and other primary sources from the cultures studies.
• HIS 301 American Cultural History, 1865 to the Present (4-0-4). Study of the social and cultural history of the United States, emphasizing the ways in which the beliefs, values, and world views of the American people are related to the prevailing social conditions.
• HIS 303 Recent U.S. Social History (4-0-4). Traces social change in the United States from the Civil War to the present with special emphasis on changes in social class formation, family, neighborhood, community, race, ethnicity, gender, and work. Traces major structural change in society, politics, and economy in relation to social transformations and impacts of technological change, urbanization and bureaucracy.
• HIS 304 U.S. Urban History (4-0-4). Analysis of U.S. urban development with focus on spatial development of U.S. cities and changing internal structure and institutions of cities from the Colonial period through the mercantile, industrial, and post-industrial city. Traces the city's impact on migrants and others and their responses.
• HIS 306 History of Ohio (4-0-4). The early development of Ohio as a territory and a state, transportation problems and economic development, industrialization and urbanization and their economic and social consequences, ethnic composition.
• HIS 307 History of Cleveland (4-0-4). Origins and early development of Cleveland and the Western Reserve, emergence of Cleveland as a major industrial city, emphasis upon social economic, technological, cultural, and political developments with special attention given to the role of ethnic and minority groups.
• HIS 308 20th-Century American Labor History (4-0-4). A general survey of American labor history with particular emphasis on the impact that industrialization had on work itself. Topics will include the varying strategies adopted by management to control labor; the history of labor unions; and the special role played by African-Americans, women, and immigrants within the workforce.
• HIS 314 Introduction to American Studies (4-0-4). Scope, theory, and methods of American Studies. American culture seen as a comparative phenomenon. Analysis of social, artistic, and political behavior in the United States and their interactions. Historical period and thematic focus may vary.
• HIS 321 United States 1901 to 1939 (4-0-4). Rise and fall of the progressive spirit at home; the impact of World War I on the world and on the American people; economic, social, political, and literary survey of the Jazz Era; the economic consolidation and social fragmentation of the 1920s; the Great Depression.
• HIS 323 American People in the 20th Century (4-0-4). Survey of economic, social, cultural, and political developments of the American nation from the turn of the century to the present; the progressive movement; domestic and foreign policies between the wars, including the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War; developments since the end of World War II, including civil rights issues, the rise of industrial unionism, and urban problems. Not open to students who have taken 321 or 322.
• HIS 325 African-America Since 1945 (4-0-4). Beginning where HIS 216 ends, this course deals with the Civil Rights movement, the sit-ins, the development of Black Nationalism, the urban condition, and the changes in African-American political, social, and economic life during the last 40 years.
• HIS 339 Great Britain: Empire to Welfare State (4-0-4). History of the British people since 1867, including the problems created by total war, the dissolution of empire, the coming of political democracy, the establishment of the Welfare State, industrial decline, and the search for international order.
• HIS 351 Social and Economic History of 19th-Century Europe (4-0-4). A study of economic change and social upheaval precipitated by the French Revolution and the industrialization and urbanization of Europe. Emphasis on social class structure, urban life and problems, workers' and middle-class responses to industrialization, and imperialism.
• HIS 352 Political History of 19th-Century Europe (4-0-4). A study of economic change and social upheaval precipitated by the French Revolution and the industrialization and urbanization of Europe. Emphasis on social class structure, urban life and problems, workers' and middle-class responses to industrialization, and imperialism.
• HIS 367 Modern Latin America (4-0-4). Development of Latin American republics with emphasis on the 20th century; development of political and cultural nationalism, polarized societies, dependent economic systems, mechanisms of change, and relations with the U.S.
• HIS 376 Modern Africa Since 1800 (4-0-4). Survey of sub-Saharan African civilizations from the demise of the Atlantic slave trade through the periods of European conquest and colonial rule, the nationalist struggle for independence, and postcolonial African states. Includes African perspectives on colonialism and neocolonialism, including social, economic, political, and cultural initiatives toward independence, modernity and an emerging role in global affairs.

Philosophy

• PHL 424 Bioethics Policy: Prevention and Access (2-0-2). This course examines health policies regarding issues such as prevention, primary care, uninsured and underserved populations, rationing, and aims of managed-care relative to theories of justice, with international comparisons.
• PHL 426 Bioethics and Law: Regulation (2-0-2). This course examines the foundations of human health institutions and practices in federal tax exemption legislation, federal financing (Medicare and Medicaid), state licensure laws, state insurance legislation, and proposal for health-law reform.
• PHL 441 Clinical Issues in Bioethics (4-0-4). The course will focus on moral problems which arise in the day-to-day practice of health-care professionals, administrators, and researchers within the framework of existing institutions, social policies, and laws. It will include readings on controversial moral issues in clinical ethics and apply forms and strategies of moral reasoning to selected cases. This course may also be offered via the World Wide Web.
• PHL 442 Policy Issues in Bioethics (4-0-4). Policy issues in bioethics reviews the role of governments in developing and implementing health-care policies. Readings and discussion will cover such topics as surrogacy, transplantation, problems of financing, the allocation of resources, and experimentation.

Political Science

• PSC 227 Power, Authority, and Society in Nonwestern Communities (3-0-3). An examination of the way selected groups of Asian, African, and Latin American societies organize themselves with respect to power and authority to cope with a set of similar social problems. Attention will also be given to how changes take place in political organization and in political cultural identity, particularly at the mass level. The course makes extensive use of popular texts and stories, photographs and video, and other primary sources from the cultures studied.
• PSC 301 Urban Politics and Policy (4-0-4). An overview of the development and implementation of urban public policies and programs as products of institutions and processes in cities, suburbs and metropolitan areas. Special attention will be given to the condition of African-Americans.
• PSC 326 Politics of the Third World (4-0-4). Problems and political dynamics of "developing states and societies" through a study of specific African, Asian, Latin-American, and Middle Eastern countries; class and ethnic conflict; the role of the military and bureaucracy; the capacity of the state to promote economic development and political order; role of global and regional system security and development; structural adjustment and regional autonomy policies.
• PSC 328 International Political Economy (4-0-4). Evolution of international economic policies and theories from mercantilism, and classical liberalism; structural approaches such as Marxism and Dependency, Rational Choice; international trade; international monetary policy and debt; investment and technology exchange; economic and technical assistance; economic integration; and globalization.

Psychology

• PSY 339 Social Psychology (4-0-4). Prerequisite: PSY 101. Theory and method in social psychology, impression formation, social cognition, attitude change, social influence, group processes, applications of social psychology.

Religion

• REL 249 Current Moral Issues (4-0-4). This course seeks to clarify moral frameworks for examining such important personal and social moral issues as the taking of human life, race relations and poverty, patterns of sexual behavior, and business practices.

Sociology

• SOC 201 Race, Class and Gender (3-0-3). Survey of major theoretical approaches to race, class and gender; examination of empirical evidence regarding the extent of these kinds of inequality, the ways in which they are produced and reproduced and their consequences. Attempts to overcome the harmful consequences of race, class, and gender inequality, both through the affirmation of identity and difference and through efforts to reduce and/or eliminate these forms of stratification will be reviewed.
• SOC 203 Sociology of Poverty (3-0-3). Analysis of the evolution and significance of poverty in the United States, the characteristics of the poor and the experience of poverty, competing explanations for poverty, and evaluation of the impact of social policy on the poor and society as a whole.
• SOC 305 Urban Sociology (4-0-4). The study of metropolitan development and social life. Examines the role of economic, political, and cultural factors at the global, national, and regional levels. Explores the history of urban sociology and contemporary perspectives. Analyzes the process of social change at the metropolitan level.
• SOC 311 Individual and Society (4-0-4). Interaction between the individual and society; and examination of the ways in which society, and impinges upon the individual's behavior, with special emphasis upon socialization, self-concept, attitudes, and social roles.
• SOC 315 Population Problems (4-0-4). Sociological significance of population size, distribution, composition, and density; population and economic development; United States population data in relation to other major countries; programs of family planning; population policies.
• SOC 318 Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence (4-0-4). Explores the place of children and youth in society by examining conceptions of children that guide adults' expectations of children and social policies, and how age, gender, ethnicity/race, and social class affect the way children are treated by one another and by adults in families, schools, and neighborhoods in Western societies.
• SOC 343 Medical Sociology (4-0-4). The role of social and cultural factors in health, research on the use of health services, the health professions, health-care organizations, and major issues in public policy and health care.

Social Work

• SWK 201 Contemporary Social Welfare (3-0-3). Examination of the social welfare system in the context of its history, function, existing social problems; and the workings of the American political, social, and economic systems. Diverse views of human needs and alternative forms of social organizations are also examined. In addition, the problems of economically and socially disadvantaged groups will be addressed, with special reference to the Black experience. Social Science.
• SWK 259 The Child, the Family, and the Law (3-0-3). Defines, describes, and analyzes the legal situation of children in an adult-oriented society. Investigates children's rights with respect to major societal institutions, such as family, schools, the justice system, and the welfare system. Assesses societal attitudes, values, and beliefs to determine their impact upon the legal position of the child within these social systems. Explores current issues in adoption, abortion rights, and deinstitutionalization.
• SWK 340 Legal Aspects of Human Services (3-0-3). Course is opportunity to be-come familiar with legislative process, litigation and the courts, and administrative law; analysis of the relationship between individual rights and human services, including mental-health law, juvenile, narcotics, and housing laws.
• SWK 465 Aging and Social Work (3-0-3). Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor. Conceptual and methodological perspectives for understanding the basic needs of the aging and the contingencies they face; includes the principles of and strategies for assessing needs, establishing objectives, estimating resources, and determining and evaluating interventions at individual, family, group, and community levels. Opportunity for students to become familiar with programs for the aged, service delivery networks, and strategies for influencing social policy and legislation.
• SWK 470 Problems and Issues in Criminal Justice (3-0-3). Prerequisite: SWK 240. Examination of contemporary social issues, including alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, poverty, family crisis, nonvictim crime, child abuse, senility, and racism as they intersect the criminal-justice system. Interaction of social issues and criminal behavior is analyzed with the focus on alternatives to arrest and incarceration through the use of community resources. Course expectations assume a background in criminal justice or administration of justice system.

Urban Services Administration

• USA 453 Managing Urban Diversity (4-0-4). Study of diversity including circumstances faced in urban settings that are exacerbated or affected by diversity factors; exploration of a range of social, political, and economic issues related to diversity. Cross-listed with UST 453.
• USA 458 Urban Policy (4-0-4). Examination of current state and local political issues focusing on Ohio; perspectives on the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, as well as tax and spending policies, human services and education delivery systems, and the formulation of public transportation and environmental policies. Cross-listed with UST 458.

Urban Studies

• UST 200 Introduction to Urban Studies (4-0-4). Introduction to the study of cities using an interdisciplinary approach that includes history, sociology, planning, economics, and political science; emphasis on the roots of contemporary African-American community problems; integration of the field of urban studies with the student's everyday experience.
• UST 202 Cleveland - Past, Present, Future: The African-American Experience (4-0-4). Cleveland's political, economic, and racial history as typifying older American industrial cities; origins and dynamics of periods of growth and decline with emphasis on race, housing, and poverty.
• UST 300 Economics of Policy Analysis (4-0-4). Examination of the economic content of urban and regional policy and administrative issues; housing and land use; labor markets, income distribution and poverty; education; health care; pollution; discrimination; municipal finance; municipal service delivery; and crime.
• UST 302 Contemporary Urban Issues (4-0-4). The physical, social, and economic dimensions of the urban crisis emphasizing minority communities; traditional and non-traditional approaches to problem definition and solution, techniques for understanding and shaping the physical environment, and constraints to problem-solving in urban areas.
• UST 453 Managing Urban Diversity (4-0-4). Study of diversity, including circumstances faced in urban settings that are exacerbated or affected by diversity factors; exploration of a range of social, political, and economic issues related to diversity. Cross-listed with USA 453.
• UST 458 Urban Policy (4-0-4). Examination of current state and local political issues focusing on Ohio; perspectives on the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, as well as tax and spending policies, human services and education delivery systems, and the formulation of public transportation and environmental policies. Cross-listed with USA 458.