This survey course studies recent trends in occupational stratification; social classes in local communities and the nation as related to interest organizations.

Over the past 50 years, we have witnessed tremendous increases in social inequality. This is frustrating because the United States was on track to building a more equitable society in the postwar era. But all this came to a screeching halt in the late 1970s. What happened? How can we explain these reversals in opportunity, and what steps must we take to get us back on the right track toward the American Dream? These are the core questions that I want to explore with you during our summer semester together. We will take a necessarily eclectic approach to studying these issues. What I mean by this is that we will be looking at inequality from the perspectives of class, gender, race, and ethnicity. Most of our work will be academic because we will explore theoretical and empirical accounts of inequality. But we will also pay attention to pragmatic issues, especially concerning public policy. These topics will be challenging, and many of our discussions will be political. We will often disagree. And yet, we must persist in talking about these matters. Social inequality is one of our contemporary world's three most pressing concerns. Along with the threat of pandemics that can kill many of us and global warming that may well destroy our planet, we must also worry about massive disparities in life chances between members of our community. By the end of this summer, you will have a firm grasp of social stratification theory and research. Among other things, you will be able to account for various forms of inequality, make connections between them, and critically evaluate public policy programs that seek to address them. If this is something that is of interest to you, join us! Our conversations will begin on Monday, May 27th.

Credit Restrictions

Students will receive no credit for 130 after taking 130AC; students cannot take 130 to remove a deficient grade in 130AC.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills