SOC 220-01: Social Inequality in the United States
Fall 2010
M/R 1:40-2:55 ♦ WSB 005
Professor Karl Bryant
Office Phone: 845-257-3035
Office Hours: M 4:30-6:00pm; R 11am-1:30pm
Email: bryantk@newpaltz.edu
Office: JFT 504
Brief Course Description
This course offers a broad overview of a large area in sociology known as social stratification.
The course is both descriptive and theoretical. That is, we will examine levels of social inequality
along a number of parameters (and in the process learn about how people study social
inequality). In addition, we will study theories of the causes of inequality and what people
(including ourselves) are, or could, do to reduce those inequalities.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
™ Demonstrate familiarity with the dimensions of inequality in the United States
™ Identify the varieties of human stratification systems historically and globally
™ Understand, explain and evaluate theories of social stratification
™ Understand the interrelationship of race, class and gender in the United States
™ Distinguish various levels of the class structure in the United States
™ Detect processes of stratification, including social mobility, social reproduction, and
legitimation
™ Understand dimensions and processes of inequalities globally
™ Have an appreciation for the ways social structure and culture impact individuals
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Course Texts
There are three required books for this course:
Schwalbe, Michael. Rigging the Game: How Inequality Is Reproduced in Everyday
Life. Oxford University Press.
Ehrenreich, Barbara. 2008. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America. Holt.
Eggers, Dave. 2010. Zeitoun. Vintage.
All other readings for this course will be posted on Blackboard, and can be found from our main
course page by clicking on “Course Readings.”
NOTE: One of the books we’ll be reading, Zeitoun, is the 2010 “One Book
One New Paltz” selection. For those of you unfamiliar with the “One Book
One New Paltz” program, it is designed to be a community reading
experience that includes programming and events related to the selected
book (to learn more, google “One Book One New Paltz”). This means that
there will be opportunities to attend various events/programming outside of
class (more info to follow).
Course Assignments & Methods of Evaluation
Class preparation and participation. You are expected to attend every class, to come to class
having thoroughly read assigned readings, and to be a fully participating member of the
classroom. This means that you are present, prepared, alert and contribute thoughtfully and
respectfully to class discussion. Students who are not fully prepared to participate in class will
lose points from this portion of their grade. Much of the in-class experience in this course will be
based on discussion and active learning; all students are expected to participate. Please
remember as well that participation includes active listening; please do not monopolize
conversations. Class preparation and participation may also include reading quizzes and short
in-class or homework assignments. There will be no make-ups for these quizzes or
assignments.
Participation Rubric:
Excellent participation (9-10 pts): Regularly contributes to classroom discussion, with
contributions showing evidence of being prepared (for instance, having done the
reading, having thought about the concepts, etc); regularly and sincerely participates in
all classroom small group or other organized activities; listens and responds to
classmates; does not dominate discussions.
Satisfactory participation (7-9 pts): Sometimes contributes to classroom discussion
and/or activities, with contributions showing evidence of being prepared (for instance,
having done the reading, having thought about the concepts, etc); listens to classmates;
does not dominate discussions.
Sub-standard participation (5-7 pts): Rarely contributes to classroom discussion;
contributions do not always show evidence of being prepared.
Unsatisfactory participation (0-5 pts): Almost never contributes to classroom
discussion/activities and/or dominates classroom discussion in a disruptive fashion.
Contributions rarely show evidence of being prepared. Engages in forms of active nonBryant – SOC 220-01 – F10
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participation (for instance, sleeping, not paying attention, texting, engaging in unrelated
side conversations, etc).
Attendance. Note that there are no points allotted in the course “point breakdown” for
attendance (see below). This is because regular attendance is expected. Although points are
not allotted for attendance, course points will be deducted as follows if you do not attend
regularly.
Attendance Rubric:
0-2 absences: No penalty
3-4 absences: Course grade lowered by ½ grade (5 pts)
5-6 absences: Course grade lowered by 1 grade (10 pts)
7-8 absences: Course grade lowered by 2 grades (20 pts)
9 or more absences: Course grade lowered by 3-5 grades (30-50 pts)
2 lates = 1 absence
Family History Assignment. Guidelines will be distributed via Bb and discussed in class.
Budget Assignment. Guidelines will be distributed via Bb and discussed in class.
Exams. There will be two exams. More information will be discussed in class.
Completion of Coursework. Students must complete all assigned work to receive a passing
final course grade.
Point Breakdown
Class prep and participation
Family History Assignment
Budget Assignment
Exam 1
Exam 2
10
15
15
30
30
100
Some Important University and Course Policies
Blackboard
I will be using Blackboard to communicate with the class as a whole outside of our regular
course meetings. I will be using it to post any important announcements concerning upcoming
classes, as well as to post other information (e.g., short readings such as newspaper articles,
assignments, etc) for which you will be responsible. For this reason, it is imperative that you
check Blackboard regularly (e.g., daily). Blackboard readings are available by clicking on the
“Course Readings” tab from the SOC 220 Blackboard homepage. Note: not checking
Blackboard regularly may adversely affect your class participation grade.
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In-Class Use of Laptops, Cell Phones, I-Pods, etc.
You may not use laptops for note-taking in this class. You must turn cell phones off before
class, and have them put away (not on your desk). Absolutely no answering calls or texting
during class.
Office Hours
My office hours are posted at the top of the syllabus. Please do not hesitate to come see me –
for more in depth discussion of course materials; to discuss materials you find especially
challenging; to ask questions about upcoming assignments; to continue conversations that were
started in the classroom; etc. If you would like to meet with me and my scheduled office hours
do not work for you, please contact me to schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient
for both of us. If you are having some difficulty in the class, it is almost always better to let me
know earlier rather than later. Often when students come to their instructor with a lingering
problem late in the semester, it is too late for the instructor to address it effectively, and as a
result there are a limited number of (often very unsatisfying) ways to resolve things. Bottom line:
If you have a problem, and even if you don’t, please come see me.
Late Work/“Make-ups”
I do not give make-up exams or accept late work except under dire circumstances (e.g., death
in the family, serious illness), verified by documentation. If you miss an exam, you lose the
points. If you must miss class, turn in any assignments before class meets.
Academic Integrity
I expect all students to maintain the highest standards of honesty in their academic work.
Cheating, forgery, and plagiarism are serious offenses, and students found guilty of any form of
academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Instances of academic dishonesty will be
reported and recorded with the Department and College. Academic dishonesty will result in
serious penalty (such as receiving a failing grade in the course) to be determined by the
professor. In addition, the Dean (or Dean’s designee) may review all pertinent documents and
determine whether further disciplinary action is warranted.
For more information, go to <http://www.newpaltz.edu/ugc/policies_integrity.html>
Americans with Disabilities Act
Students with documented disabilities are entitled to receive reasonable accommodations. If
you need classroom or testing accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center
(Student Union Building 205, 257-3020). The Disability Resource Center will provide forms
verifying the need for accommodation. As soon as I receive the form, you will be provided with
the appropriate accommodations. Students are encouraged to request accommodations as
close to the beginning of the semester as possible.
Incomplete Policy
Per University policy, a grade of Incomplete (I) will be considered only in the case where a
student has completed at least 75 percent of the work for the course and a personal emergency
prevents him or her from completing the work of the semester. The student will be required to
explain the circumstances necessitating an incomplete, and may be asked to provide supporting
documentation. If an incomplete is granted, terms will be set at that time outlining remaining
coursework and a timeline for its completion. Failure to fully meet these terms will automatically
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result in a failing grade. In all cases, Incompletes are granted solely at the professor’s
discretion.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) Grading Option
Please note that I do not know which grading option (Letter Grade or S/U) students have
chosen. I am required to submit letter grades for all students. For students who have opted for
S/U grading, the Records and Registration Office will convert letter grades as follows:
A through C- = S
D+ through F = U
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Reading Key:
[Schwalbe] = Michael Schwalbe Rigging the Game
[Ehrenreich] = Barbara Ehrenreich Nickel and Dimed
[Eggers] = Dave Eggers Zeitoun
[Bb] = Reading posted on Blackboard
W Date
Topics & Readings (due on date listed)
1
Course Introduction
M 8/23
Exams and
Assignments
• No readings
2
R 8/26
• No readings
M 8/30
Studying Inequality Sociologically
• “Thinking Sociologically About Inequality” [Schwalbe]
R 9/2
3
4
• Kerbo. “Dimensions of Inequality in the United
States” [Bb]
No Class
University Holiday
M 9/13
• “The Roots of Inequality” [Schwalbe]
R 9/16
Global Inequality
• Sernau. “The Global Divide.” [Bb]
5
M 9/20
• No readings (get a head start on Ehrenreich!)
R 9/23
Race, Class and Gender Inequality in the US
Family History
Assignment DUE
• “Introduction: Getting Ready” [Ehrenreich]
• “One: Serving in Florida” [Ehrenreich]
6
7
8
M 9/27
• “Two: Scrubbing in Maine” [Ehrenreich]
R 9/30
• “Three: Selling in Minnesota”
• “Evaluation” [Ehrenreich]
M 10/4
• “Rigging the Game” [Schwalbe]
• McIntosh. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible
Knapsack.” [Bb]
R 10/7
• Kirschenman & Neckerman. “’We’d Love to Hire
Them, But…’: The Meaning of Race for Employers.”
[Bb]
• Reskin and Padavic. “Women, Men, and Work in the
21st Century” [Bb]
M 10/11
University Holiday
No Class
Exam 1
R 10/14
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9
M 10/18
Class Cultures
Film: “People Like Us” (parts 1 and 2)
R 10/21
Education, Mobility, & Inequality
• Readings TBA
Guest Speaker: Professor Sunita Bose (SUNY New
Paltz, Dept of Sociology)
10 M 10/25
R 10/28
• Readings TBA
Guest Speaker: Professor Daniel Lipson (SUNY New
Paltz, Dept of Political Science)
Status, Power, Politics & Legitimating
Inequality
• “Arresting the Imagination” [Schwalbe]
11 M 11/1
R 11/4
• “Regulating the Action” [Schwalbe]
Poverty
• Sernau. “Abandoned Spaces, Forgetten Places:
Poverty and Place.” [Bb]
12 M 11/8
R 11/11
13 M 11/15
• Hays. “Off the Rolls: The Ground-level Results of
Welfare Reform.”
• Roschelle. “Welfare Indignities.”
Regional Spotlight: Poverty in the Mid-Hudson Valley
• Readings TBA
Budget Assignment
DUE
Case Study: Zeitoun
• Zietoun, pp 3-81 [Eggers]
R 11/18
14 M 11/22
R 11/25
15 M 11/29
R 12/2
• Zietoun, pp 85-170 [Eggers]
• Zietoun, pp 173-290 [Eggers]
No Class
University Holiday
• Zietoun, pp 293-325 [Eggers]
Guest Speaker: Professor Mark Schuller (CUNY York
College, Dept of Anthropology & African American
Studies)
Challenging Inequality
• “Interview with Rania O” [Schwalbe]
16 M 12/6
R 12/9
17 R 12/16
Regional Spotlight: New Paltz & Same Sex Marriage
• Readings TBA
• “Escaping the Inequality Trap” [Schwalbe]
Scheduled Final: 12:30-2:30pm
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