2. Create a relative measure of poverty

Group Assignment: In small groups, students assume the role of demographers that are charged with counting the number of people below the poverty threshold in Cook County, IL. This tally should be based on a relative measure of poverty. Each group should:

1. Identify the information (count of every adult, their income, etc.) they will need create this measure;
2. Outline the steps they will complete in order to present their findings and;
3. Report their hypothetical findings using a histogram that details how they reached their count.

Randomly select a small number of teams (two to three) to present their findings to the whole class. Other groups can compare their findings and how they went about determining them in the discussion.

Non-presenters are encouraged to ask presenting teams questions about the process and implications of their calculation, drawing specifically on criticisms raised in the assigned readings.

Assessment suggestion: Evaluate students’ application of the concept of relative deprivation during the presentations, using this Presentation Rubric.