Lesson 2- Social Stratification
Outcome
4.2 examine the role of social stratification in the organization of human societies, in relation to
gender, race, and socio-economic status
• Define social stratification and its related concepts (i.e., status and role).
• Apply appropriate theories to the concept of social stratification.
• Formulate a hypothesis regarding positive and negative implications of social stratification
in a society.
• Investigate examples of the relationship between stratification, power, and inequality.
Materials
http://download.nos.org/331courseE/L-16%20SOCIAL%20STRATIFICATION.pdf
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Copies of Social Stratification Article, Pages 1-10, broken into sections:
o 16.1 Difference and Inequality (p. 2-3)
o 16.2 Concept of Stratification (p. 3-4)
o 16.4.2 Social Stratification and Social Inequality (p. 5-6)
o 16.3 Karl Marx (p. 6-7)
o 16.3.2 Max Weber (p. 8)
o 16.4 Status (p.9- 10)
Each student should have a blank piece of paper or loose leaf.
Copies of definition sheet
Procedure:
Divide students into six different groups, or number them one to six. Each group will get one section
of the article to review. Students can work individually or in a group with other students that have
the same article. Give students 10-15 minutes to read their section of the article and discuss it,
making notes on the key points of that section.
Once finished, have students take their sheet of paper/loose leaf and fold it in half lengthwise. Then
have them fold it into thirds, so that when it is unfolded, it will be divided into six sections. Students
will then be re-organized into groups of six, one student that read each section per group. In their
new groups, students will go through each section 1-6. The student responsible for reading that
section will explain the key points to the rest of the group and each student will fill in one section of
their divided paper with the key points. In the end each student should have a sheet filled with the
key points from each section. This should take approximately 30 minutes.
Explain that this article outlines social stratification in terms of socio-economic status, but that there
are other ways that society can be stratified. Ask if students can think of other forms of stratification
(examples of racial or gender based stratification).
Handout student definition sheet. Come together as a class to debrief/unpack the key points of the
article and to derive definitions of the following terms: stratification, social stratification, social
inequality, ascribed status, achieved status, and power. Use these to fill out the sheet.
Sociology 12- Stratification Definitions Student Handout
Outcome
4.2 examine the role of social stratification in the organization of human societies, in
relation to gender, race, and socio-economic status
• Define social stratification and its related concepts (i.e., status and role).
• Apply appropriate theories to the concept of social stratification.
• Formulate a hypothesis regarding positive and negative implications of social
stratification in a society.
• Investigate examples of the relationship between stratification, power, and
inequality.
Task: After discussing and reflecting on the article we read in class, what do you know
about the following terms? Use the article and class discussion to define the following terms
and create examples showcasing your understanding of each of the terms.
Term
Stratification
Social
Stratification
Social Inequality
Ascribed Status
Achieved Status
Power
Definition
Examples