Housing and Homelessness
SOCIOL 1297
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
This course centers the sociological study of housing and homelessness, largely in the American context. The course is guided by three questions: (1) What is sociological about housing, and why should the study of housing be central to the discipline of sociology? (2) What have sociologists written about the long-term and day-to-day experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness? (3) How does housing inequality intersect with other dimensions of inequality? Through a combination of historical and contemporary readings, students will gain an understanding of the factors contributing to housing challenges, including a shrinking supply of affordable housing, inadequate wages and employment, discriminatory housing practices, and urban development. Students will also learn about how supply-side actors—such as landlords, real estate brokers, and building code inspectors—reproduce or exacerbate housing inequality; and why policy responses—like housing choice vouchers, emergency shelters, and supportive housing programs—do or do not seem to help.
Course Notes
This course counts for the Certificate for Civic Engagement. The Certificate for Civic Engagement recognizes Harvard College students who have demonstrated sustained participation in public service and civic involvement during their undergraduate experience.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
