Written Assignment Poverty Response Project
For this assignment you will need to watch The Line’
http://www.thelinemovie.com/Or https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zZxjb4gB93A) which explores the life story of 4 people living at or
below the poverty line: John, a former banker who struggles to put food
on the table; Sheila, a single mother who grew up in poverty, escaped
only to sink back; James, who found himself homeless in North
Carolina; and Ronald, a fisherman in Louisiana who watched as his
industry became decimated.
A comprehensive 3-5-page paper (APA 7 style with citations) will
integrate the movie, the text, and you (your supported response). MAKE
SURE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION FROM THE TEXT’S
CHAPTER: INCLUDING SPECIFIC TERMS AND DEFINITIONS AS
WELL AS CLEAR EXPLANATIONS OF HOW THEY APPLY.
The paper will need to be typed and double-spaced (APA 7) and follow
the format below:
1. Introduction: A general discussion of Poverty. The film says the 4
individuals are at or below the poverty line. What is the poverty line?
What is (absolute) poverty? What are the realities of life in poverty?
2. Body of the paper (you must complete A and B; and choose 1. or 2. of
C):
A. The chapter on poverty discusses “The Face of Poverty.” Based on a
review of the material in this section, which of the 4 individuals would
you have predicted would be living at or below the poverty line? Be sure
to explain your thinking and review all material from the section. The
focus should be: “Who are the people living in poverty” and “why are
they poor??
B. The text describes “Social Service Programs For Those Who Are
Poor.” What does the text say are the “primary goals of these programs”?
Which of these programs are/or could the 4 individuals benefit from?
What effect did needing to rely on charity or the government have on
those who received services Who would not have survived withou
government assistance? Explain?
C. Complete one of the following:
1. The text discusses the concepts of personal and social responsibility
Explain these concepts. What is meant by the role of government and
issues of dependence versus self-reliance? Explain. Do you think the 4
individuals were dependent? Self-reliant? Explain and give examples.
What do you think the role of government should be?
2. The text discusses “Poverty and Inequality.” What does it say about
inequality? What does it say about “Economic and Social Justice” and
the need for advocacy. If you were going to advocate for one individual
based on notions of inequality and social justice who would it be?
Explain. What might the advocacy involve?
3. Conclusion: Your conclusion needs to go beyond the questions in this
assignment. The conclusion pushes you to consider broader issues, make
new connections, and elaborate on the significance of poverty. In the
conclusion you are asked to analyze and or reflect about on the
following:
Did seeing these stories change how you view and understand poverty?
What did you learn about poverty in completing this assignment? Did
anyone’s story challenge stereotypes about poverty? How might you
have handled the struggles and challenges they faced?
What do you think should be done about the issue of poverty in the US?
What does it mean for society when hard working individuals can’t find
work and/or earn enough to escape the poverty line? What do you think
the government role should be in addressing poverty? Do you think it is
possible to do away with poverty as a social problem? Why/why not