So
326 Social Inequality
Dr.
Marylee Reynolds Spring '2009
Office
Location:
Office
Voice Mail: (973) 618-3527
Office
Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays,
Email:
mreynolds@caldwell.edu
If I am not in my office, please leave
a message on my Voice Mail and I will get back to you as soon as possible! I am not on campus on Fridays.
REQUIRED
TEXTS:
Rothman, Robert A. 2005. Inequality and Stratification: Race, Class,
and
Gender.
(5th ed.). NJ: Prentice-Hall.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This
course examines theories of inequality, social ranking, and the distribution of
resources and opportunity, as they affect individuals and groups in social
institutions, and in their lifestyles, value systems, and quality of life. Variables of power, power elites, class consciousness,
alienation, class mobility, and stratification criteria will be explored.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:
v To
improve the reading, writing, research, and critical thinking
skills of students through an analysis
of issues and topics in social
inequality and social stratification;
v To
have students acknowledge and examine their own beliefs and values, and
the
assumptions they make about others who are different from themselves;
v To
introduce students to the discipline, history, principles, concepts,
and theories of inequality and
stratification; and
v To
have students gain an understanding of the American class
structure; i.e., how stratification
criteria (race, ethnicity, caste, class,
and gender) affects one's life
chances.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS:
Exams:
There will be THREE exams (this includes the final exam). Exams will be based on text readings,
handouts, class exercises, videos, and class lectures and discussions. Students are responsible for all text
material, regardless of whether we review the text material in class or
not. Exams will be a combination of
short answer, essays, and objective questions.
All exams will be announced. All
exams are of equal weight in determining your final grade. I will let you know general areas of study
for each exam.
There are no make ups for missed
exams. However, students who are
Caldwell College athletes with a scheduled game, who are sick and have a note
from their family doctor, or who have a death in the immediate family
are excused from a scheduled exam. If
any of these circumstances should prevail, then the student must let me know PRIOR to the scheduled
exam. If students fail to show up for a
scheduled exam without notifying me before hand, then they will not be allowed
to make up the exam.
The final exam is scheduled for
Course
Schedule (subject to change at the discretion of the instructor):
Rothman, Chapter 1 Structural
Inequality and Social Stratification
Rothman, Chapter 2 Theoretical
Approaches to Social Stratification
Rothman, Chapter 3 Industrial Class
Systems
Rothman, Chapter 4 Institutionalizing
and Legitimizing Stratification
Rothman, Chapter 5 The Dynamics of
Income Inequality
Rothman, Chapter 7 The Shape of Political Power and Influence
Rothman, Chapter 8 Class, Race,
Gender, and Life Chances
Rothman, Chapter 9 Class and
Lifestyles
Academic
Integrity: Students are reminded of, and are to
familiarize themselves with, the college's Academic Integrity Policy, which is
clearly outlined in the annual Caldwell College Catalog. Violations, penalties and procedures are
contained therein.
Classroom
Policies: Class participation and class attendance will be considered
in determining the student's final grade.
Students are responsible for making sure they sign the attendance sheet
handed out in each class period. Any
student who has their head down in class, who appears to be sleeping in class,
or who is actually sleeping in class will not receive credit for attendance.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT STUDENTS WILL
ARRIVE FOR CLASS ON TIME, TAKE THOROUGH NOTES, AND PARTICIPATE IN CLASS
DISCUSSIONS. CHILDISH and DISRUPTIVE
BEHAVIOR IS NOT TOLERATED IN MY CLASSES.
This includes regularly arriving late for class, sleeping in class,
talking during class time, being disrespectful to others, acting bored, or
giving any other indication that this is the last place you want to be. Please remember to turn off all electronic devices
before entering the classroom. The classroom is an environment for learning,
and any student that interferes with the learning process will be asked to
leave.
All students are encouraged to come to
my office! Please stop by if you are
having any problems with note taking, the reading, exams, course content, or
anything else! I am here to help you,
and I can only do that if we communicate with each other.
Students with Documented
Disabilities:
Any
student who has a documented disability and is in need of academic
accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services (973-618-3645)
and notify the professor of this course.
Students are required to provide written documentation of their
disability in order to be eligible for accommodations. Accommodations are individualized and in
accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1992.
If a
student with a documented disability wishes to take their tests in the
SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR. ALL
STUDENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY CHANGES.
Place this syllabus in a safe place!