SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE
FACULTY/INSTITUTE
COURSE CODE
DEGREE PROGRAMME
FIELD OF STUDY
SOCIAL WORK
COURSE FORMAT
YEAR AND SEMESTER
NAME OF THE TEACHER
SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN MODERN SOCIETY
INSTITUTE OF SOCIOLOGY
ND
DEGREE LEVEL
STUDY MODE
BA
CONVERSATORY
2015/2016 SUMMER SEMESTER
MAGDALENA POKRZYWA, PHD
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course explores the causes and consequences of current inequalities in the modern
society. We will begin by discussing theories and concepts that scholars use to understand
different forms of inequality and explain its persistence. We will then turn to the central
institutions and mechanisms that sociologists argue are responsible for creating,
reproducing, reducing and changing the structure of inequalities in the modern society,
including: education, labour markets, families and social policies, neighbourhoods and
country, segregation, gender, stratification, race, ethnicity, social class and the criminal
justice
system.
Class will provide students with introductions to the social inequality in modern society.
Students will learn how to identify and explain social inequality.
Special stress will be place on the following issues:
 Inequality from a social perspective—theories of class and stratification
 Overview of economic inequality in the modern society - poverty and social
exclusion
 Social inequalities across race
 Social inequalities across social class
 Social inequalities across gender
 Social inequalities across sexuality
 Income inequality and family background
 Families, inequality and policy
 Education inequality
 Health Inequalities
 Social inequalities across human capital and labour markets
 Public policy, power and inequality
PREREQUISITES
Sufficient command of English
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing the course students know:
- theoretical basis, background and evolution of social
inequalities
- how to identify social inequalities in modern society
- how to discuss about general aspects of social
inequalities.
After completing the course students can:
- identify and explain social inequality in modern
society
- indicate factors, barriers, limitations in finding
solutions for social inequalities in the modern society ,
- recognize different roles of organization in the society
and solving problems with social inequalities,
After completing the course students are able:
- to work in a multicultural groups,
- to design and conduct projects focused on social
problems connected with social inequalities,
- to lead discussion on social inequalities
COURSE ORGANISATION –LEARNING FORMAT AND NUMBER OF HOURS
CONVERSATORY, 30 HOURS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
1. Inequality from a social perspective—theories of class and stratification
2. Creating, reproducing, reducing and changing the structure of inequalities
3. Overview of economic inequality in the modern society - poverty and social
exclusion
4. Social inequalities across race and ethnicity
5. Social inequalities across social class
6. Social inequalities across gender
7. Social inequalities across sexuality
8. Income inequality and family background
9. Families, inequality and policy
10. Education inequality
11. Health Inequalities
12. Social inequalities across human capital and labour markets
13. Public policy, power and inequality
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
DISSCUSION, LECTURE, INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION
REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS

active participation in class - (1-4 credits)

final presentation in PPT (or other) format - (1-6
credits)
GRADING SYSTEM
FROM A (5.0) TO F (2.0)
10-9 credits – A (5.0)
8 credits – B (4.5)
7 - credits C (4.0)
6 - credits – D (3,5)
5 - credits - E (3.0)
4 - 0 - credits – F (2.0)
TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD
NEEDED TO ACHIEVE EXPECTED
LEARNING OUTCOMES EXPRESSED
IN TIME AND ECTS CREDIT POINTS
Individual
work/preparation to
seminar/workshops
Active participation in
seminars/workshops
Final
presentation
preparation
Consultation
Total
ECTS
ENGLISH
NO
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
INTERNSHIP
MATERIALS
50 h.
30 h.
50 h.
5 h.
135 h.
5
Social Inequality in a Global Age, Scott Sernau,
Thousand Oaks 2013.
The Haves and the Have-Nots: A Brief and Idiosyncratic
History of Global Inequality, Branko Milanovic, Basic
Books 2012.
Divided: The Perils of Our Growing Inequality, David
Cay Johnston, New Press 2014.
Inequality: A Contemporary Approach to Race, Class,
and Gender, Lisa A. Keister, Darby E. Southgate,
Cambridge University Press 2012.
The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of
Inequality, Angus Deaton, Princeton University Press
2013.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Report
(IHDR). United Nations (UN), United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) 2013.
The Price of Inequality, Joseph Stiglitz, New York:
Norton 2012.
Social Problems, James William Coleman, Harold R.
Kerbo, Pearson 2008.
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Social Issues, Kurt
Finsterbusch, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin 2010.
The Sociology of Social Problems. Theoretical
Perspectives and Methods of Intervention, Adam
Jamrozik, Luisa Nocella, Cambridge University Press
2011.