SOCIAL STRATIFICATION: ISSUES IN CLASS, GENDER, AND RACE

This course identifies and investigates the following topics: general principles of stratification, theoretical explanations by which inequality emerges and is maintained, the relationship between class and other forms of inequality in the United States -- namely, gender and race-- and changes in the social hierarchy over time. The end result will be a greater understanding on the part of the students concerning both stratification, in general, and the interrelationship among class, gender, and race in the United States. Through a reading of qualitative materials based upon field research methods, the course is designed to move from one social class to another – professional upper middle class to working class to upper class to the poor. Contained within the discussion of a specific social class will be the socioeconomic implications for women and persons of color with each class structure. These readings will allow students to understand the unique life chances of women within distinct socio-economic positions.