SOCIAL STRATIFICATION: CLASS, STATUS, AND POWER IN AMERICA

While focusing on the United States, the course also examines global inequality. You may find the course challenging, because are continually affected by social inequalities, yet we are rarely encouraged to think in those (Sernau 2001:1). In this class we will think in those terms and will examine some classic questions about inequality (Sernau 2001:7): •Is inequality a good thing – not, is it inevitable, but it is good? •And good for whom? •If we accept inequality, how much inequality is necessary? Should societies seek to magnify or minimize difference? •Inequality according to what criteria? •If we see equality, is this equality of opportunities or outcomes? We will also consider other key questions: •How much inequality is there? In the United States? Globally? •How do we measure inequality? •How does inequality vary by social class, ethnicity and race, and gender? •What do people believe about the causes of inequality? •How do sociologists explain inequality?