PJHC Core Courses

Two required courses, PJHC 371 (Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities) and PJHC 394 (Human Development In Global and Local Communities) provide the introductory core sequence for the PJHC minor.  In this sequence, students learn about theoretical approaches to poverty and justice, drawing from the capabilities framework and multidisciplinary approaches to improving policies. The courses explore examples from both global and local communities and consider material deprivations and factors such as racial and ethnic disparities, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, education, human rights, and political freedoms.  The courses aim to increase students’ engagement with broader debates on current issues, and to enhance their communication and advocacy skills.  Both courses train students how to contribute to Wikipedia to expand the availability of free evidence-based knowledge.

PJHC 371: POVERTY, JUSTICE, AND HUMAN CAPABILITIES

Offered in the fall; 3 credit hours.
This course provides an overview of the study of poverty, justice, and human capabilities. The course considers theory and policy oriented toward  improving human well-being in the US, Asia, Africa, and other regions. Readings address not just material deprivations but also gender, racial and ethnic disparities, health status, education, human rights, and political freedoms. Formerly listed as HUMA/SOCI 371 and HUMA/SOCI 280.

  • Students will gain an introductory knowledge of theoretical approaches to poverty and justice, drawing from the capabilities framework and economics.
  • Students will be able to approach these issues with a global perspective and be able to articulate varying approaches to poverty and justice in different global regions.
  • Students will be able to provide examples from several different geographical regions and not exclusively from one country or region.
  • Students will be able to apply the human capabilities approach to gender, racial and ethnic disparities, sexual orientation, health status, education, human rights, and political freedoms.
  • Students will become familiar with the practices of contributing to and editing Wikipedia. Their final project will include contributing substantially to an existing article related to the course or by contributing a new article on a topic closely related to material from the course.
  • Students will improve and refine their oral, written, and visual communication skills through oral presentations, class discussions, written responses to readings, and a polished, scholarly Wikipedia entry.
  • Students will increase their engagement with broader debates through attending lectures and public debates on topics relating to the course material and through writing and discussing topical issues raised in the press.

PJHC 394: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN GLOBAL AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Offered in the spring; 3 credit hours.
This course explores poverty and gender in local and global communities. Readings consider human deprivations and well-being in the context of social norms, gender relations, and governmental structures. Also examined are policies meant to improve human capabilities, including both the overall effects of such policies and their differential consequences for children, women, and men. Formerly listed as HUMA/SOCI 394 and ASIA 329/SOCI 372/SWGS 322.
Prerequisite: PJHC 371 (HUMA/SOCI 371)

  • Students will gain in-depth knowledge about deprivations and inequalities and how they are situated in economic, historical, political, and institutional systems.
  • Students will become familiar with how deprivation and inequality impact under-resourced communities in the Houston and the surrounding area.
  • Students will be able to articulate the particular challenges faced by under-resourced communities in Latin America, Asia and Africa with in-depth knowledge of at least one country or broader geographical regions.
  • Students will further hone their skills in contributing to and editing Wikipedia by contributing substantially to an existing article related to the course or by contributing a new article on a topic closely related to material from the course.
  • Students will further hone their oral, written, and visual communication skills through oral presentations, class discussions, written responses to readings, and a polished, scholarly Wikipedia entry.
  • Students will increase their engagement with broader debates through attending lectures and public debates on topics relating to the course material and through writing and discussing topical issues raised in the press.