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Department of Sociology/University of ManitobaSOC 3870 Social Inequality (AO1)

Fall 2008 (3 credit hours)

Instructor: Dr. Gregg M. Olsen Office: 314 Isbister Telephone 474-9199 e-mail [email protected]

Meeting Times: Tuesday/Thursday 2:30-3:45 (slot 14)214 Tier

Office hours: Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:00 (or by appointment)

Textbooks: Forcese, Dennis, The Canadian Class Structure (4th edition), Toronto:McGraw Hill,1997

Grabb, Edward G., Theories of Social Inequality (4th edition), Toronto:Oxford University Press, 2002.

SOCIAL INEQUALITY, POVERTY AND POWERCourse ContentThis course is an investigation into the origins, nature, extent, determinants, persistence andconsequences of social inequality in society from a cross-national and cross-temporalperspective. It introduces central debates about the inevitability of social inequality andexamines the ways that it has been reproduced and rationalized, or attenuated and challenged,throughout human history. It also addresses normative debates concerning when and how muchsocial inequality might be considered legitimate or just. Put simply, we are concerned here with‘who gets what and why’? in society. The course is divided into five broad sections. Part Iintroduces key concepts and provides an overview of the character, level, intensity and patternsof social inequality associated with the major forms or systems of stratification that havedeveloped throughout human history. In Part II we examine the classical theoretical accounts ofinequality put forward by Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Alexis de Tocqueville, Karl Marxand Max Weber. In Part III we explore several measures, indicators and facets of inequality(such as income, wealth, ‘life chances’, poverty, homelessness, social exclusion, and power) andtheir consequences in contemporary society from a comparative perspective, with a particularfocus upon the Anglo and Nordic nations. We also examine some of the central bases/axes ofsocial inequality (including class, gender, race/ethnicity and age) across various sites (e.g. theeconomy, polity & family). In Part IV we critically review dominant contemporary theories ofthe origins, sources, character and inevitability of inequality that stress socio-biological factors,social structure, culture, or power. Finally, in Part V, we examine contemporary attempts toestablish more egalitarian forms of social life through social policy and the welfare state,co-operative and communal forms of organisation, and proposals to democratize the economy.

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EvaluationStudents will be required to write: (1) three in-class tests, worth 25%, 25% and 20%, of their final grade. This course makesgenerous use of films and videos to illustrate different aspects, dimensions and systems of socialinequality and stratification. Students should be aware that tests may include questions related tothese films and videos and all other course-related material (readings, lectures, guest speakers,group work and so on). Consequently, students are expected to attend classes regularly.

(2) A take-home paper, worth 30% of their final grade, which addresses poverty andhomelessness in Canada or the US. This paper will be based upon questions, issues and theoriesrelated to class lectures and materials through an examination of one of the following threebooks (available in the University Bookstore and/or library):

a. Susan Scott, All of Our Sisters: Stories of Homeless Women Across Canada, Toronto: Garamond Press, 2007

b. Lee Stringer, Grand Central Winter: Stories From the Street, New York: Pocket Books, 1999.

c. Cathy Crowe, Dying For A Home: Homeless Activists Speak Out, Toronto: Between the Lines, 2007.

Note: Students will only be expected to read ONE of these three books to complete theirassignment. (Other accounts may be used but must first be approved by the instructor).Papers should be approximately 10 pages in length (and should not exceed 12 pages). They mustbe typed, double-spaced, with normal margins and numbered pages, and use the standardsociological referencing format. (See articles published in the Canadian Journal of Sociology orthe Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology for examples of this format). Papers aredue in my office on December 9 (one week after our last class) between 10:00 am and12 pm. IfI am not in the office, papers should be submitted to the main Sociology office on the 3rd floor ofIsbister (room 318).

Important dates (tests, assignments, Voluntary Withdrawal):

The following letter/percentage scale will be used for all tests and assignments:A+ = 90-100 exceptional A = 80-89 excellent B+ = 75-79 very good B = 70-74 goodC+ = 65-69 satisfactory C = 60-64 adequate D = 50-59 marginal F 49-0 failureStudent Responsibility and Academic Integrity

1) Test 1 October 9, 2008 25% of grade2) Test 2 November 4 2008 25% of grade3) Test 3 December 2, 2008 20% of grade4) Take-home paper: due December 9, 2008 30% of grade

Last date for Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) is Wednesday November 12/08

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Tests and AssignmentsStudents who are absent on test days due to ill health, or for reasons of compassion or otherexceptional circumstances (requiring a medical certificate or other appropriate documentationclearly indicating that you were unable to attend class) will be allowed to write make-up tests. However, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor as early as possible if therewill be a need for such deferrals. With prior approval from the instructor, late submissions ofwritten assignments due to exceptional circumstances will be marked without penalty. Withoutprior approval, all late papers will be strictly subject to a penalty of a half-grade per day (e.g.,from B+ to B, or B to C+). Students who are unable to complete and submit their final papers bythe due date because of such circumstances will be required to submit their ‘work in progress’,since it is expected that everyone will be working on their papers long before the due date.

Collaborative and cooperative work ethics are encouraged. Students should feel free to discusstheir ideas with other members of the class to develop their comprehension and critical analysis. However, when it is time to submit assignments students should do their own work. The writtenmaterial of your colleagues is the fruit of their labour and under no circumstances shouldstudents avail themselves of it when preparing their own papers. The printed work of otherscholars also must be properly recognized. Acts of academic dishonesty or plagiarism areserious offenses and are subject to academic discipline. Students should acquaint themselveswith the University of Manitoba’s policies on ‘Examinations: Personation’ (Section 4.2.8) an‘Plagiarism and Cheating’ (Section 7.1) in the University of Manitoba Undergraduate Calendar. If in doubt, students should also consult the instructor and the appended document on plagiarism(What is Plagiarism, by S. E. Van Bramer) provided by the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Artsalso reserves the right to submit student work that is suspected of being plagiarized to Internetsites designed to detect plagiarism.

The University of Manitoba acknowledges the right of students to observe recognized holidaysof their faith that fall within the academic year. With instructor discretion, necessaryarrangements can be made to ensure that studies are not jeopardized. The instructor should benotified of a student’s intended absence in advance. Under normal circumstances, at least threeweeks notice should be given where special arrangements are sought.

DisruptionsDisruptions due to excessive talking, early departures from the classroom, or cell phones can be distracting to students and the instructor. Please be considerate and respectful of the needs andrights of others in the classroom. If you have a legitimate reason for leaving class early, pleaseinform your instructor at the beginning of the class and exit as unobtrusively as possible. Cellphones must be turned off and may not be used in the classroom. Students should be aware thatpersistent disruptions will result in debarment from the course.

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Course Outline and Reading List

Students are responsible for all of the assigned readings listed each week (course text readingsand any supplemental articles).

PART I. INTRODUCTION: Key Concepts, Patterns of Inequality and Systems of Stratification

SEPTEMBER 4 Course Introduction/Overview

Readings:chapter 1 in Grabb, Theories of Social Inequality

SEPTEMBER 9/11 Equality, Inequality and Social Stratification

Key Concepts: 4 types of equality (intrinsic, opportunity, condition, outcome)degree/level of inequality, relational & distributional/gradational

material & symbolic ascription vs. achievement, closed vs open systems, social mobility (intra/inter-generational)crystallization, rationalization/power

Readings:chapter 1 ( stratification in perspective) in Forcese, The Canadian Class Structure

SEPTEMBER 16/18/23 Systems of Stratification I: Hunting and Gathering Societies/ The Caste System

Key Concepts: minimal stratification, age/gender/skill castes/outcaste, rituals of purity, religion, graded inequality

Films: Sakuddei of Indonesia (52 minutes) or The !Kung San: Traditional Life (26 minutes) Untouchable? (24 minutes) or Images of India (35 minutes)

Readings: none

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SEPTEMBER 25/30 Stratification Systems II: Slave Societies of Antiquity/Estates of the Feudal Period

Key Concepts: patricians/slaves, varied bases of slaverymanorialism, 3 estates, nobility/serfs, peasantry

Film: A History of Social Classes (53 minutes)

Readings: none

OCTOBER 2/7 Stratification Systems III: Capitalism and Class

Key Concepts: economic development and the class system social mobility, the poor

Film: Capitalism (27 minutes)

Readings:chapter 2 (indicators and perceptions) in Forcese, The Canadian Class Structure

OCTOBER 9 TEST 1

PART II. CLASSICAL THEORETICAL ACCOUNTS OF INEQUALITY:Spencer, Durkheim, Tocqueville, Marx and Weber

OCTOBER 14 Herbert Spencer: biological accountsEmile Durkheim and Alexis de Tocqueville: social (structural andcultural) explanations

Key Concepts: the division of labour and pathological forms (anomic, forced)solidarity, external and internal inequalities, system needs civic associations, culture of individualism

Readings:chapter 4 (Durkheim) in Grabb, Theories of Social Inequality

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OCTOBER 16 Karl Marx and Max Weber: explanations emphasizingconflict and power

Key Concepts: mode of production, means of production, class struggle capitalists (bourgeoisie) and working class (proletariat)multi-dimensionality - class, status and power, bureaucracy

Readings:chapters 2 (Marx) & 3 (Weber) in Grabb, Theories of Social Inequality

PART III. EXAMINING SOCIAL INEQUALITY:Indicators, Consequences and Sites of Social Inequality

OCTOBER 21/23/28 Indicators, Measures and Facets of Inequality Key Concepts: income, wealth, poverty (absolute/relative measures)

homelessness, life chances, consequences of inequality,social exclusion

Films: Citizen Shame (47 minutes)Street: A Film With the Homeless (58 minutes)

Readings:chapters 3 (class inequality) & 6 (living with class) in Forcese, The Canadian Class Structure

OCTOBER 30 Bases and Sites of Inequality: Class, GenderEthnicity and Age

Key Concepts: class, gender, race/ethnicity, age (elderly/children)

Readings:chapters 4 (ascribed status) & 5 (class & education) in Forcese, The Canadian Class Structure

NOVEMBER 4 TEST 2

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PART IV. CONTEMPORARY THEORIES OF INEQUALITYBiological Determinants, Systemic Needs, Culture, Power

NOVEMBER 6/ Biological Factors/Social Structure and the Functions of Inequality

Key Concepts biological determinants, genetic predispositionsgender & race, consensus, the universal necessity of inequality

Readings:chapter 5 and chapter 6 (pp. 123-145) in Grabb, Theories of Social Inequality

NOVEMBER 11 Remembrance Day: No Class

NOVEMBER 13/18/20 Other Social Factors: Culture/Power

Key Concepts: values, ideologies, culture, ‘culture of poverty’balance of power, power resourcesinequality by design

Readings:chapter 6 (pp. 146-216) and chapter 7 in Grabb, Theories of Social Inequalitychapter 7 (pp. 171-189) and chapter 8 in Forcese, The Canadian Class Structure

NOVEMBER 25/27 Addressing Inequality: Experiments and Proposals

Key Concepts: social policy and the welfare state co-operative and communal forms of social organizationunions workplace reform, proposals to create economic democracy

Readings:chapter 7 (pp. 164-171) in Forcese, The Canadian Class Structure

Film: Miracle on 43rd Street (15 minutes)/Socialism (27 minutes)/Mondragon (13 minutes)

DECEMBER 2 TEST 3

DECEMBER 9 Take-Home Exam/Paper Due (in my office, 10am-12pm)