This course will provide students with a basic introduction to a wide variety of topics related to inequality and social stratification, including its causes from a variety of scholars in sociology, economics, and political science. This class will particularly focus on inequalities related to social class; however, we will also consider inequalities by race and gender. In this course, we will first discuss different perspectives on why inequality occurs. We will then explore the inequality and class structure in the United States, as well as in some other countries like Finland and South Africa. Next, we will examine how race and gender complicate issues of class in American society. Finally, we will discuss some of the consequences of inequality and what might be done to fix some of the social ills associated with inequality.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
Course Policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
For assignments, you are expected to write using your own words and ideas; however, you can use AI to help brainstorm or outline your papers, which should be properly cited using the questions that you asked ChatGPT and the answers that you received. Using AI like ChatGPT to completely write your papers will result in an automatic zero (0). Do not copy and paste answers from AI-generated content into your paper. I will provide more guidance on using AI as a handout during the second week of classes.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcomes:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social or geographic relationships develop, persist or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion