Reading: Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed

1. Ehrenreich's goal is to understand how low-wage workers can survive. What does she learn about their lives and struggles by going undercover? What strategies do workers use to get by?

2. What factors have led to the gap between wages and housing costs? What measures does Ehrenreich propose to address them?

3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ehrenreich's method of research? How does her undercover research compare to that of Rebekah Nathan?

4. Nathan struggled with the ethical issus posed by her methodology. Ehrenreich seems to handle these concerns more easily. Why? What is your assessment about the ethics of doing undercover research?

5. The back of the book offers a reader's guide intended to prompt discussion. Take a look at the questions and identify one that you would be most interested in discussing. We'll begin class by finding out which questions you picked and taking some time to talk about them as a group.

 

For more information, contact:  aleshkow@holycross.edu