Abstract
This Banded Dissertation focuses on rural poverty, with special attention on homelessness in the Panhandle of Texas. This was done through a conceptual framework looking through the lens of othering, rabble management, and social contact theory, a quantitative analysis study, and the creation of an undergraduate course. Product One is a conceptual manuscript examining the recent trend in the United States to increasingly criminalize activities associated with poverty, especially homelessness. Examining this trend through the concept of othering, it is suggested that social work educators utilize activities focusing on positive social contact interaction to counteract negative perceptions held by students towards those in poverty. Product Two is a quantitative, descriptive analysis of recent Person in Time Counts (PIT Counts) that were held in Amarillo, Texas. This study explored the purpose of the PIT Counts and threats to its internal reliability. A descriptive analysis was used to assess the quality and quantity of data collected by Amarillo Continuum of Care (CoC) over the course of nine PIT counts. It was noted that PIT counts conducted in the summer had a considerably higher number of responses, however response rate as whole was below the recommended rate for in-person surveys. Finally, Product Three is an undergraduate course designed to introduce students to poverty both as a concept and as a social construct. Objectives for the course include understanding the dynamics of poverty nationally and as it relates to the Panhandle region of Texas, exploring the different theories of poverty, and critically analyzing anti-poverty efforts.