Inequality & American Society (328-0-20)
Instructors
Katherine Rose Weisshaar
Kate Weisshaar is an Associate Professor of Sociology and a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. Her research focuses on inequality in the United States, with a particular emphasis on inequality related to gender and family in the labor market and in organizations.
Meeting Info
555 Clark B01: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
Social stratification explores how human society gets divided into haves and have-nots. It encompasses both the unequal distribution of scarce resources and the processes through which those resources are distributed unevenly to individuals according to a wide range of social characteristics. It also explores how individuals can change their social position over time (mobility) and examines how different dimensions of social status (such as race, class, and gender) can intersect, or sometimes diverge. This class will cover sociological explanations, theories, and research on key forms of inequality in the United States. Some of the main questions we will address include: What is social stratification and how is society "stratified"? What do the extremes of social inequality look like? How does one climb the ranks in society? What are the social institutions that contribute to, and sometimes attenuate, inequality? What role do race and gender play in stratifying society? What are the consequences of inequality in the United States for individuals? And where do we go from here?
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
• Describe how inequality is produced and reproduced in American society;
• Evaluate and critique the major topics, theories, and methods used in the sociology of stratification;
• Explain how norms, structures and policies form the basis for stratification and think creatively about what changes would foster greater equality;
• Generate ideas for practices to address social, economic, and political inequalities and evaluate those practices that have been implemented and institutionalized;
• Conduct independent research on a topic related to social inequality in the United States and effectively present findings in written and oral form.
Teaching Method
Lecture & discussion
Evaluation Method
Three writing assignments; participation and attendance; in-class quizzes and activities.
Class Materials (Required)
This course will have required books/other materials.
Inequality in the 21st Century, edited by David B. Grusky and Jasmine Hill. ISBN: 9780813350646.
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area