Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Soc-Anth 3220 Instructor: Ming Tsui
Class, Gender, and Race Office SH 342
TTH 10, Spring 2004 Tel: 974-1388 (Office)
Office Hours: TTH 12:30-2 944-0795 (Home)
or by appointment
Contents:
Course Description
Course Requirements
SYLLABUS
One important characteristic of socio-economic inequality in the United States is the interrelated nature of class, race, and gender. This course examines the nature and dynamics of class, race, gender, and explores issues of class, social status, power, and prestige in the United States. We start with an overview of the social stratification system and proceed to analyze several major theoretical perspectives addressing the causes, consequences, and legitimacy of systems of social inequality. We then consider in detail the basic concepts of stratification and factors that are responsible for generating inequality, and the consequences of stratification. Finally we explore impact of race, ethnicity, and gender on the division and the maintenance of social and economic inequality in modern society. Readings and discussions also include issues of public policy in America and the future of American class structure, gender equality/inequality, and race relations.
Methods:
This class is a junior-level course for sociology majors. The readings are original works of major classical and contemporary sociologists. Most of the readings are theoretical, which means that you often need to read a second, even a third time, to understand. Class lectures and discussions will be based on the readings. It is your responsibility to read the assigned material before class; your class participation grade depends on your ability to discuss these readings (summarize each reading, define and explain the key words and theories, and ask and answer questions about them). In general, you are expected to make frequent presentations of the readings, share in the exchange of ideas, and lead and participate in class discussions. In addition to two short papers, you will also write and orally present a research paper. There will also be two in-class examinations. As in-class collaboration and group effort are imperative to the successful accomplishment of these activities, regular class attendance is essential. Only two unexcused absences are permitted without penalty.
The short papers and research paper (first draft and final version) are expected to be turned in by 5 pm on the due date. For each paper, there will be a two-day grace period ending at noon two days after the due date. Papers submitted during this period will be marked “late” but will incur no grade penalty. However, the grade penalty (one letter grade a day) for paper turned in after the end of grace period will be computed from the original due date. The grace period permits the “unexpected” (a broken printer, computer shutdown, power failure, room-mate emergencies, surprise company from out of town, etc.) to be taken into account and thus not unfairly impact in your grade.
Writing:
Writing, a significant component of this course, will be of three genre: structured free writing, short papers (3-4 pages), and a research paper developed and revised over several drafts. These different types of writing should relate to and enhance one another. For example, the topic you select for your research paper may be one you focused on in your free writing and/or short papers. The point is that we will use writing as a process for thinking and learning about the ideas we read from the texts, and as a way to develop our own ideas.
I firmly believe that the best way to write is to edit, the opposite of sitting down with the intent to starting from scratch and composing finished text. This means to write quickly at the outset, with relatively little concern about grammar, sequencing, and the like, then come back and use the editing features of the word processor to help your paper evolve. A series of half-hour sessions, spread out over time, can result in a good paper, one constructed without experiencing the aversiveness students so often encounter in writing.
A. Structured free writing will be assigned regularly in class.
B. Short papers: There will be 2 short papers to summarize, analyze and critique the sociological/anthropological research on class, race, and gender assigned in this class.
C. Research paper: You must select one issue concerning stratification, do an intensive research, and use sociological theory/ theories to analyze the issue. This paper must be written in stages: proposal, first draft and final version. The proposal (one page) which consists of a brief description of your topic/question and your ideas and goals is due Mar.11. The first draft which includes research data, a description and some analysis of the data, and a preliminary application of sociological theories will be due Apr.8. The final version will be due Apr.26.
Proper form is required for both the short papers and the final product of the research paper. Please consult Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference.
D. The two in-class exams will be given during the semester. The exam questions will come directly from the assigned readings and will be in the form of short essays questions. I will give your study questions for assigned readings, if you can answer these questions, you should do well on these exams. The exams will be graded according to the following:
90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59 or below = F
Grades:
In-Class exams = 30%
Short Papers = 30%
Research Paper = 30%
Class/Group Participation = 10%
1.David B. Grusky, edited, 1999. Social Stratification in Sociological Perspective, (2nd edition) Boudler: Westview Press.
2.Loewen, James W. 1988. The Mississippi Chinese: Between black and white. Illinois: Waveland Press.
3.Duneier, Mitchell. 1994. Slim's Table: Race, Respectability, and Masculinity. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
4. Additional/supplementary readings will be handed out in class.
Jan. 13 Introduction and Overview of the class
Jan. 15 The Meaning of Race and Relationship between
Race and Stratification
Read: Loewen, Introduction and Chapter 1
Jan. 20-22 The Meaning of Race and the Relationship
between Race and Stratification
Read: Loewen, chapters 2, 3, and 4
Jan. 27-29 Cultural and Structural Factors in Stratification
Read: Loewen, chapters 5, 6, and 7
Feb. 3-5 Forms and Sources of Stratification
Read: Grusky, Grusky, Part II Forms and Sources of Stratification,
pp.55-84; "Becoming 'race savvy;""Back to the future;” “M.I.T. performs a hat trick in recruiting” (handouts)
** 1st short paper assigned-due Feb. 12
Feb. 10-12 The Structure of Modern Stratification: Marx and Post-Marxists
Read: Grusky, Part III: Marx, Pp. 87-102; Wright, pp. 112-116; Blau et. al., pp. 255-259; Treiman, pp. 260-263; Part VI: Wilson, Pp. 651-660.
** 1st short paper due Feb. 12
Feb. 17-19 The Structure of Modern Stratification: Weber and Post-Weberians
Read: Grusky, Part III: Weber, Pp. 132-145, pp. 150-152; Warner et. al., Pp.240-247; Shils, Pp.247-254; Macleod, pp. 421-434.
Feb. 24 Generating Stratification: Social Mobility
Read: Grusky, Part IV: Turner, Pp.319-324; Gilbert and Kahl: The American Class Structure, Chapter 7; "The rich really aren't different." (handouts)
** Feb. 26: First In-class Exam
Mar. 2-4 Generating Stratification: (continued)
Read: Grusky, Part IV: Gottschalk, pp. 378-389; Sewell et al. Pp. 411-421; Part VI: Wilson, pp. 611-623; Coleman "Social capital in the creation of human capital."(handout).
Mar. 9 Generating Stratification (continued)
Read: Grusky, Part VI. Portes and Zhou, pp. 597-608; Hirshman and Snipp,
Pp. 623-636.
** Reminder: Proposal of your research paper due March. 11
Mar. 11 Gender Stratification
Read: Grusky: Part VI: Firestone, Pp.671-673;Harmann, Pp.673-680; William Goode "Why Men Resist";"Have a child, and experience the wage gap"; “Report on black America finds a college gender gap” (handouts).
** 2rd short paper is assigned-due Mar. 25
** One-page research proposal due Mar. 11
** Mar. 12-21 Mid-semester holidays
Mar. 23 Gender Stratification
Read: Grusky: Part VI. Reskin, pp. 719-733; Marini and Fan, pp. 743-760; "Study finds pay gap closing for male and female doctors;" “The Opt-out revolution” (handouts).
Mar. 25 The Consequences of Stratification
Read: Grusky, Part V: Kohn, Pp. 532-541; Dimaggio, pp. 542-546; Reich "The Global Economy: Consequences for U.S. Inequality" (handout).
** 2nd short paper due Mar. 25
Mar. 30 Ascriptive Processes: Racial and Ethnic Stratification
Read: Grusky, Part VI: Bonacich, Pp. 555-568; Portes and Manning, pp. 568-579; Massey and Denton, pp. 660-670.
Apr. 1 Race and Public Policy
Read: Duneier Slim's Table, Parts 1
** Reminder: 1st draft of the research paper due Apr. 8
Apr. 6-8 Race and Public Policy (continued)
Read: Duneier, Slim's Table, Parts 2 and 3
** 1st draft of the research paper due Apr. 8
Apr. 13 Race and Public Policy (continued)
Read: Duneier, Slim’s Table, Part 4.
** Apr. 15: Second In-class Exam
Apr. 20, 21 Individual conference on research paper
Apr. 22 Last day of class, research paper read-around
** Apr. 26 Final Version of the research paper due, 5pm.
Class: measured by economic issues, such as amount and sources of one’s income; the classification of individuals into different classes is based on their place in the market or in the process of production.
Status groups: measured by cultural issues such as values, mainly the honor or prestige attached to one’s lifestyle. The classification of individuals into such groups is based on their consumption patterns. People’s values are reflected in their choice of housing, friends, marriage partners, leisure activities, mannerism, language, and other aspects of their lifestyle.
The characteristics of class (economic factors) and status group (cultural factors) together become the foundation for the description of social class: p. 195, Chart 1 The social perspectives of the social classes, by Warner et.al.
Weber’s definitions of status groups:
P.117 “status groups... is determined by a specific, positive or negative, social estimation of honor” (“honor” =respect from others). “Status honor is normally expressed by the fact that above all else a specific style of life can be expected from all who wish to belong to the circle. Linked with this expectation are restrictions on “social” intercourse (intercourse=interaction).” p. 121. “[s]tatus groups are stratified according to the principles of consumption of goods as represented by special lifestyle.” p. 125 “The term of status will be applied to a typically effective claim to positive or negative privilege with respect to social prestige so far as it rests on one or more of the following bases:(a) mode of living, (b) a formal process of education which may consist in empirical or rational training and the acquisition of the corresponding modes of life, (c) on the prestige of birth, or of an occupation.”
Find examples of status groups from the movie Pretty Woman:
1. How do we know which status group one belongs? (One’s lifestyle)
Appearances mannerism language associations family/relations
2. How a particular status (especially prestige and respect) maintained? (“distance and exclusiveness p. 119)
Permission/restriction of interaction distance exclusion consumption (what are where to buy)
3. Relationship between class (wealth), status (prestige), and party (power)
a. wealth, status, and power can be independent of each other: ie. One can have high prestige without money
b. however, money can beget high status and power, (in modern society) through education or good deeds
c. either wealth or prestige may lead to power
d. In today’s United States, upper classes often refer to those who have both wealth and prestige