Inequality in the United States

Starter 18- Poverty in Durango
Look at one of the following about poverty and inequality in Durango:

1. http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Durango-Colorado.html (straight numbers)
2. https://durangoherald.com/articles/1539 (poverty and homelessness in Durango)

Brainstorm questions for our panel on poverty.  We will have the following people here:

1. Wendy Javier- TRiO Talent Search Director- works with low income and first gen kids in middle school and high school
2. Jenn Wagnon-TRiO SSS- works with low income and first gen kids at FLC. She will also be bringing 2-3 college students
3. Jeff King- Works for Axis Health System coordinating care for low income population.
4. Casey- Firefighter, often provides last ditch services for low-income and homeless population

Describing with Data:
You are going to be using data to answer the following three questions:

1. How unequal is the United States?  Look at income and wealth, and any other data you think is relevant to answering this question.
2. How sure are you of your answer?  What factors make you more sure?  What factors make you less sure?
3. What are the most important trends you see here?  Explain why you think these indicators are more important than others.

Your job, by the end of this week, is to have answers to these three questions.  On Monday, we will have you write your final answers to these questions in class, and discuss them with your classmates.

You must use at least THREE sources (though I suggest you look at more!).  Honors folks, one of your sources must be an academic journal article (check the links in the article from Scientific American, or find one yourself using google scholar or the library database). For each of your required sources, you must have notes that include:

1. Source:  What source is this (title and source)?
2. Summary:  What new data did this give you about inequality in the United States?  Summarize the main points.
3. Evaluation:  How reliable is this data?  Why do you think so?  Think about the source, their study methods, etc.
4. Connection:  How does this connect to your other sources?  Does it confirm other sources?  Build on or add to them?  Conflict with them?

Resources for You
See the docs page of my DP for a list of resources and videos that could help you.

Writing Conferences
Lori holds writing conferences about social class narratives.  Today's conferences are:

1. AM Class: Alex, Caity, Claire, Lily, Quinn, Robin
2. PM Class: Morgan, Todd, David, Grace, Kaitly, Corry, Avory, and Kai

HOMEWORK
Reading:

1. Hillbilly Elegy- Chapters 6-10 (to page 177) by next Tuesday.  About 13 pages/day for the next 7 days.  Read chapter 6 by Thursday.
2. Evicted- Chapters 9-16 (to page 203) by next Tuesday.  About 13 pages/day for the next 7 days.  Read chapters 9 and 10 by Thursday.

Writing:
Revise your social class narrative essay.  Make sure to check it against the rubric!  FINAL Draft due Monday, 10/9 at the start of class.