Unit 3: Social Inequality
In this unit, we address the growing concerns of global and national inequality. We explore questions, such as how some countries are more wealthy than others. How can we address the needs of the world's population when we live in a world with more than seven billion people? We explore institutionalized inequalities, such as racism, sexism, and ageism, and how our prejudices can negatively guide our interactions. How can we overcome preconceived notions that lead to prejudice? We also discuss the difference between sex and gender, gender identity, and sexuality. We explore several theoretical perspectives on sex and gender and how to alleviate bias.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 12 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- define stratification;
- understand social class in the context of stratification;
- discuss race as a social concept and how stratification applies to race in the U.S.;
- discuss gender as a social concept and how stratification applies to gender relations;
- describe global stratification;
- describe several types of social mobility;
- apply functionalist, conflict theory, and interactionist perspectives to social stratification;
- explain the concepts of race and ethnicity;
- distinguish the differences between stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination;
- develop familiarity with the different experiences of various ethnic groups in the United States;
- define and differentiate between sex and gender;
- discuss theoretical perspectives on sex, gender, and sexuality;
- understand the different senior age groups (young-old, middle-old, and old-old); and
- compare and contrast sociological perspectives on aging.
3.1: Social Stratification in the United States
- Read this chapter for a review of social stratification in the United States. As you read each section, consider the following points:
- Read the introduction to social stratification, paying attention to Robert and Joan's story. Make guesses or connections between the example provided and why you think this example might be an introduction to stratification.
- Take notes on the bold terms as well as on the three systems of stratification. What stratification system is found in the U.S.? How might this affect one's life chances?
- Take note of the different classes found in the United States and the types of mobility. Other than homes or luxury items, what are some things money can buy that are not readily available to people living in the lower class? How might being in the lower class affect one's chances at upward social mobility?
- Read the two sections found in this chapter. In addition, you should spend a few minutes comparing the two photos in Figure 1, jotting down some thoughts on the photos and the accompanying text.
- Take note of the three different theoretical approaches to studying social stratification. How do you think Marx would view the Davis-Moore thesis?
Read this article on the effects of social class on US culture. How do systems of class, based on factors such as prestige, power, income, and wealth, influence our life chances, daily routines, and worldviews? Can you think of examples of how social class has affected you?
- Receive a grade
Use this quiz to help you check your understanding of subunit 3.1. Once your score has been calculated, review your class notes and resource materials to better understand any questions you answered incorrectly.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.
3.2: Global Inequality
- Read this chapter for a review of global inequality. As you read through each section, consider the following points:
- Read about the UN member nations' goals to eradicate global inequality. While reading about these goals, be sure to consider "extreme poverty" in a global context as well as how we might be able to address the needs of the world's population.
- Take note of the terms global inequality and global classification. Also take note of high-, middle-, and low-income nations as well as factors contributing to a nation's classification.
- Focus on the differences between relative, absolute, and subjective poverty. Write down some ideas on the cyclical impact of the consequences of poverty.
- Read about the differences between modernization and dependency theory pertaining to global stratification. On a separate piece of paper, create a compare/contrast list of each of the theories. Then, look at the list you've made and draw conclusions as to how each of these theories attempts to explain global stratification.
Read through the article with current global inequality data. Which of the theoretical perspectives discussed in the textbook chapter best applies to the data? Why?
- Receive a grade
Use this quiz to help you check your understanding of subunit 3.2. Once your score has been calculated, review your class notes and resource materials to better understand any questions you answered incorrectly.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.
3.3: Race and Ethnicity
Read this chapter for a review of race and ethnicity. As you read through each section, consider the following points:
- Can you identify areas in your life where race and ethnicity have an effect?
- Take note of the differences between race and ethnicity. Explore the idea behind race being a social construction, rather than a biological identifier. Take note of the definitions of majority and minority groups.
- Take note of the differences between stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and racism. Challenge yourself to think about some common stereotypes you might be familiar with.
- Read about how the major theoretical perspectives view race and ethnicity. On a separate piece of paper, make a list of examples of culture of prejudice. For example, when you see an actor of (presumably) Middle Eastern descent in a film, how often are they either the hero or the villain? When you're watching television and commercials come on, what are some common themes you notice in the racial categories of the actors? How about images in high fashion magazines? Often times, when women of color appear in these ads, they are eroticized in some way, creating a visual of someone who is less than human.
- Take note of the definitions of genocide, expulsion, segregation, pluralism, and assimilation. Also, pay attention to amalgamation and how it is somewhat similar to the classic melting pot theory.
- Focus on the different experiences of various ethnic groups in the United States. Due to the current racial stratification in the U.S., how might race or ethnicity affect access to valuable resources like education or health care?
Read the section on the meaning of race and ethnicity, which explores the idea behind race being a social construction, rather than a biological identifier.
- Receive a grade
Use this quiz to help you check your understanding of subunit 3.3. Once your score has been calculated, review your class notes and resource materials to better understand any questions you answered incorrectly.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.
3.4: Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Read this chapter for a review of gender, sex, and sexuality. As you read through each section, consider the following points:
- In the "Introduction to Sex and Gender", read about Harry's journey to becoming Hailey. Write a personal reaction to your thoughts on Hailey's parents allowing her to make this transition. Also, write a sociological reaction to Hailey's parents allowing her to make the transition. Remember: A sociological reaction will be one without bias or judgment.
- Take thorough notes on the differences between sex and gender. Which one is ascribed? Which one is achieved? Also, take note of gender identity and what populations of people fall under the transgender umbrella.
- Take note of how socialization plays a role in gender identity and gendered behaviors. Focus on the stratification of gender within the United States. In addition, explore the various theoretical perspectives on gender, taking note of feminist theory as it relates to gender-related issues.
- Take note of varying attitudes associated with sex and sexuality. Define sexual inequality. What has been the greatest influence on sexual behavior in most societies? How have those influences recently shifted? Also, take note of Queer Theory as it pertains to sex and sexuality.
Read through this article on the sociology of gender. Why is it important to study gender and sexuality sociologically?
- Receive a grade
Use this quiz to help you check your understanding of subunit 3.4. Once your score has been calculated, review your class notes and resource materials to better understand any questions you answered incorrectly.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.
3.5: Aging and the Elderly
Read this chapter for a review of aging and the elderly. As you read through each section, consider the following points:
- Focus on various social factors affecting the aging experience. What does age represent other than just a number? How might this affect life chances?
- Take note of the phases of aging (young-old, middle-old, and old-old). Also, make sure you're able to explain the "graying" of the United States.
- Read about and take note of the biological, social, and psychological changes associated with the aging process. Read about aging and sexuality, comparing this phase of sexuality with those discussed in the chapter on sex and gender. How does the social construction of sexuality change when considering age as a variable? Examine the attitudes associated with death and dying.
- Read about the historic and current trends of poverty among elderly populations. Focus on ageist attitudes within individuals and institutions. Consider the question: How and why are the elderly so vulnerable to mistreatment and abuse?
- Read about various theoretical perspectives on aging. Make a list comparing and contrasting the theoretical perspectives to demonstrate the differences between the viewpoints on aging.
- Receive a grade
Use this quiz to help you check your understanding of subunit 3.5. Once your score has been calculated, review your class notes and resource materials to better understand any questions you answered incorrectly.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.
Unit 3 Discussion and Assessment
- Make forum posts: 1
- Receive a grade
Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.
- This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
- You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
- You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.