Sociology Week 5 Slides PDF

Sociology Week 5 Class and Stratification Dr. Piero Corcillo Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Re...

Sociology Week 5 Class and Stratification Dr. Piero Corcillo Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  This week Social Stratification Systems of Stratification Classical Perspectives on Social Class Contemporary Sociological Models of the U.S. Class Structure Sociological Explanations of Social Inequality Workshop: Class Stratification Collage Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Question Why does the idea of making the American dream come true still makes sense today? Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Social Stratification Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources. Involves patterns of structural inequality associated to membership of each of these groups. Involves ideologies that support inequalities. Life chances refers to the extent to which individuals have access to important societal resources such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. Access to resources determines people’s level of affluence. Resources are anything valuable in a society. Resources are unequally distributed among different social groups. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Systems of Stratification (1 of 2) Sociologists distinguish between: Open systems: boundaries between hierarchy levels are more flexible. Closed systems: boundaries between hierarchy levels are rigid. Social mobility is the movement of individuals or groups from one level in a stratification system to another. Intergenerational mobility is the social movement experienced by household members from one generation to the next. Intragenerational mobility is the social movement of individuals within their own lifetime. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Systems of Stratification (2 of 2) Slavery is an extreme form of stratification in which some people are owned or controlled by others for the purpose of economic or sexual exploitation. Three main areas of “trafficking” people into the US as modern slaves: agricultural slavery, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. A caste system is a closed system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parents' ascribed characteristics. Vestiges of caste systems exist in contemporary India. The class system is a type of (theoretically) open stratification based on the ownership and control of resources, and on the type of work that people do. Status supposedly comes through achievement rather than ascription. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Classical Perspectives on Social Class (1 of 4) Karl Marx (1 of 2) The capitalist class (bourgeoisie) consists of those who own and control the means of production (e. g. land and machineries). The working class (proletariat) consists of those who must sell their labor to the owners in order to earn enough money to survive. Workers’ labor day divided in two parts: Necessary labor: when workers produce their means of livelihood; Surplus labor: performed in excess of what a worker earns as a salary; the time of labor - value - that capitalists expropriate from their workers to generate profit. Surplus labor generates surplus value: the capitalist’s profit. Expropriation = Exploitation = Alienation: a feeling of powerlessness and estrangement from other people and from oneself. Workers manufacture goods that embody their labor, but the goods do not belong to them. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Classical Perspectives on Social Class (2 of 4) Karl Marx (2 of 2) Historical Materialism The economic mode of production constitutes society’s ‘structure’. The structure determines society’s superstructure: dominant institutions and culture. The capitalist class maintains its dominant position by controlling the superstructure. Class conflict is the struggle between the capitalist class and the working class. Capitalism has proven more resilient than Marx anticipated. In the contemporary global economy, the means of production are often owned by multinational corporations (many shareholders, but controlled by paid officers and managers) => a) Difficult to identify where decisions are made and who makes them; b) Difficult for national governments and/or labor unions to bring decision-makers to account, as economic activities and processes are spread out across national borders. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Figure 7.3: Marx's View of Stratification Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Classical Perspectives on Social Class (3 of 4) Max Weber (1 of 2) Observes the shift from individual, competitive entrepreneurial capitalism to bureaucratic, industrial, corporate capitalism. Agrees with Marx that economic factors are important in understanding class stratification. However, emphasizes that no single factor, including the economic structure, is sufficient for defining the location of categories of people within the class structure. Argues that the access that people have to a variety of important societal resources is crucial in determining their life chances. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Classical Perspectives on Social Class (4 of 4) Max Weber (2 of 2) Develops a multi-dimensional approach to social stratification based on the Interplay between: Wealth, which is the value of all of a person's or family's economic assets, including income, property, and income-producing property. People with similar levels of wealth belong to the same class. Prestige, which is the respect or regard that a person or status position is given by others. Individuals who share a common level of social prestige belong to the same status group. Power, which is the ability of people or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others. The power of modern bureaucracies is so strong that even a workers’ revolution could not lessen social inequality. Socioeconomic status (SES) refers to a combined measure that attempts to classify individuals and households in terms of factors such as income, occupation, and education to determine social class. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Figure 7.6: Weber's Multidimensional Approach to Social Stratification Mark Peterson/Redux Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Question How relevant are Marx and Weber’s theories to understand social stratification nowadays? Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Contemporary Sociological Models of the U.S. Class Structure (1 of 2) The Weberian model of the U.S. class structure The upper (capitalist/elite) class The upper-middle class The lower middle class The working class The working poor The underclass Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Contemporary Sociological Models of the U.S. Class Structure (2 of 2) The working class Pink-collar occupations are relatively low-paying, nonmanual, semiskilled positions primarily held by women. Blue collar occupations involving manual labor in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation. The working poor are individuals or families who hold jobs but struggle to make ends meet due to low wages, under-employment, and limited financial resources. E. g. cleaners, fast-food workers, retail associates, home health aides, and janitors. The underclass includes those who are poor, seldom employed, and caught in long-term deprivation that results from low levels of education and income and high rates of unemployment. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Sociological Explanations of Social Inequality (1 of 3) Functionalist perspectives The Davis-Moore thesis argues that inequality is inevitable and necessary. 1. All societies have important tasks that must be accomplished and certain positions that must be filled. 2. Some positions are more important for the survival of society than others. 3. The most important positions must be filled by the most qualified people. 4. The positions that are the most important for society and that require scarce talent, extensive training, or both must be the most highly rewarded. 5. The most highly rewarded positions should be those that are functionally unique, and on which other positions rely for expertise, direction, or financing. Meritocracy is a hierarchy in which all positions are rewarded based on people's ability and credentials. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Sociological Explanations of Social Inequality (2 of 3) Conflict perspectives People with economic and political power are able to shape and distribute the rewards, resources, privileges, and opportunities in society for their own benefit. Those in power use ideology to impose social norms, and maintain their favored positions at the expense of others. Stereotypes suggest that wealthy people are smarter than poor people; however they are just lucky to be born to wealthy parents. The wealthy are able to successfully lobby the government to implement laws that support inequality. E. g. in the US, legalized and institutionalized segregation and discrimination reinforced employment discrimination in the first half of XX century. Discrimination still exists in different forms today. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Sociological Explanations of Social Inequality (3 of 3) Symbolic interactionist perspectives Researchers have collected the personal narratives of people across all social classes, ranging from the wealthiest to the poorest people. Rollins studies the relationship between household workers and their employers; examined rituals of deference that were often demanded by elite white women of their domestic workers, who were frequently women of color. According to Goffman, deference is a type of ceremonial activity that functions as a symbolic means whereby appreciation is regularly conveyed to a recipient. Deferential behavior between nonequals (such as employers and employees) reproduces the inequality of the relationship and each party’s position in the relationship relative to the other. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Concept Quick Review Questions What are the strengths and weaknesses of the above sociological perspectives on class stratification? Which perspective(s) do you find to be the most compelling and why? Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Time to start thinking about your essay! Choose an essay question (course syllabus p. 9). Develop an essay plan, which must include: A clear statement of your central argument. A list of the steps that you are to take to support your central argument (what concepts , theories and themes are you going to discuss?). Look at the essay guidelines on Canvas > Sociology > Modules > Course information to develop an essay plan. A list of at least three academic readings that you are going to use in order to make sure that your argument is grounded in scholarly grounded evidence. Discuss your essay plan with the course instructor during office hours to receive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Workshop: Collage Creation (1 of 2) In small groups (max. 3 members), Use images and texts from the provided magazines to represent the different social classes (upper [elite/capitalist] class – the 1%, upper middle-middle class, lower middle-class, working class, working poor, and the underclass). Create a collage on the large sheets that visually represents the characteristics, lifestyles, and symbols associated with each social class. It is important to discuss and collaborate within the group to ensure a comprehensive representation. Think about how the images, symbols and representations that you use can reflect relevant theories and sociological perspectives on class stratification. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Workshop: Collage Creation (2 of 2) Steps Brainstorming: Begin with a brainstorming to discuss the characteristics, lifestyles, and symbols associated with each social class. Discuss and exchange ideas, and make sure every group member has an opportunity to contribute. Assign Roles: Consider assigning specific roles to each group member to ensure efficient collaboration. For example, one member could be responsible for gathering images, another for selecting texts, and another for arranging the collage. Rotate these roles if necessary to give everyone a chance to engage in different aspects of the project. Selecting Images and Texts from the provided magazines that best represent the characteristics and symbols associated with each social class. Look for visual cues such as clothing, housing, transportation, leisure activities, and occupation. Texts can complement the images by providing additional context or emphasizing certain aspects. Collaborative Process: It is essential to collaborate within the group. Discuss and debate your choices to ensure a comprehensive representation of each social class. Consider different perspectives and interpretations during this process. Creating the Collage: Be creative in arranging the images and texts to visually represent each social class. Consider the layout, composition, and overall aesthetic appeal of your collages. Reflect on Sociological Perspectives: After completing the collages, reflect on how your representations align with different sociological perspectives on class stratification. Discuss the strengths and limitations of your representations in relation to each perspective. Presentation: Finally, present your collage to the class. Explain your choices and how they reflect sociological theories on class stratification. Provide constructive feedback and discuss the collage of other groups. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 1 1. Those that are poor typically have fewer life chances, which means they also have fewer opportunities to obtain: A. money. B. medical care. C. property. D. all of the above. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 1 Answer Answer: D. Those that are poor typically have fewer life chances, which means they also have fewer opportunities to obtain money, medical care, and property. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 2 2. _____ is a system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parents' ascribed characteristics. A. Class B. Slavery C. Caste D. Socialism Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 2 Answer Answer: C. Caste is a system of social stratification in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parents' ascribed characteristics. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 3 3. According to Karl Marx, social classes are determined by: A. relationship to the economic means of production. B. relative control over power, wealth, and prestige. C. gender. D. income. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 3 Answer Answer: A. For Marx, people's relationship to the means of production determines their class position. Weber developed a multidimensional concept of stratification that focuses on the interplay of wealth, prestige, and power. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 4 5. People who are wealthy, are well educated, and who have high- paying jobs are much more likely to be healthy than are poor people. A. True B. False Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.  Quick Quiz 4 Answer Answer: A. True, people who are wealthy, are well educated and who have high- paying jobs are much more likely to be healthy than are poor people. As people's economic status increases, so does their health status. The poor have shorter life expectancies and are at greater risk for chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, as well as infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Diana Kendall, Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials, Twelfth Edition. © 2021 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.