Reference no: EM132264204

Activity : American Families

From 1992-2012, Bill Moyers followed the story of two ordinary, hard-working Milwaukee families -- one black, one white -- as they battle to keep from sliding into poverty. A portrait of perseverance, "Two American Families" raises unsettling questions about the changing nature of the U.S. economy and the fate of a declining middle class (Adapted from PBS website).

Please answer the questions below as you watch the documentary.

Responses must be in complete sentences and total no less than 500 words in order to receive full credit for this activity. If you have trouble with the link, google "Two American Families" for the video.

1. What changes in the nature of work (i.e., types of work available, wages, qualifications, etc.) is experienced by the families throughout the film?

2. What are some of the solutions developed by the families to deal with economic difficulties?

3. How does social class shape the quality of life for these families?

4. In what ways do race and gender impact the experiences of the families in the film?

5. Discuss a few solutions that could lessen the economic burden of working class and poor families. Consider policy changes in the institutions of the economy or education and childcare options and costs.

ASSIGNMENT TWO

Ted Talk 3: Design as a Solution for Inequality

Next, address the following:

1) Describe some aspects of the North Carolina country community that is the subject of the design experiment.

2) What elements of inequality is present in the County?

3) What suggestions does the presenter make about remedying the inequities in the community through design?