Though “homelessness” is an official term to describe unstable housing situation, “houseless” is considered to be a more accurate and less stigmatizing term and is preferred by many who live in a housing unstable world.
This 4-credit intensive weekends class will investigate ideas and experiences related to many facets of houselessness in America. We are going to investigate the scale of houselessness, the populations that most likely experience houselessness, causes and consequences of houselessness, and the controversies of policies that attempt to ameliorate houselessness. Special attention will be paid to the innovative community efforts in addressing the housing crisis.
Our class meetings will be a mix of short lectures, seminar discussions, hands-on activities and guest speakers focusing on critical analysis and problem solving in a supportive learning environment. Students will carry out reflective writing and a research project that focuses an aspect of houselessness.