SYLLABUS
SOCI 3330-001 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SUMMER 5W1 2013
Internet Class
Professor: Milan Zafirovski Office: Chilton Hall 397D
This is an undergraduate Internet-based introductory course dealing with social stratification—i.e. vertical societal differentiation or hierarchical inequality in society. The course analyzes the causes, processes and patterns of social inequality in its various forms. Emphasis is placed on the economic, political, ethnic/racial and other forms of social inequality, as manifested in socially conditioned and patterned differentials and inequities in terms of class, power, and status. While taking into due consideration the observation about the ubiquity of social inequality across human society and over historical time, the course centers its attention on the United States and other comparable contemporary societies. This course applies a thorough comparative-historical perspective on social stratification, by comparing and contrasting the United States and other developed societies over time.
The course combines
theoretical concepts and principles with empirical observations and facts to
objectively examine and, if needed to recommend ways to address and resolve,
issues of social inequality, for example, poverty, wealth/income disparities,
political inequality, and the like. Particularly emphasized is the usefulness of
theoretical principles and concepts in understanding and addressing practical
questions associated with social stratification in contemporary communities and
larger societies.
The profile and perspective
of this course is mostly sociological. Nonetheless, this sociological
perspective on social stratification will often be combined with those of other
social sciences, especially anthropology, political science and history. In
this regard, the course will have a thorough inter-disciplinary orientation, which
is necessitated by the (multi-disciplinary) character—economic, political,
historical, and cultural--of the subject of social inequality. Given this
orientation, the course can be interesting and challenging both for students
with majors/minors in sociology and for those majoring in such social sciences
as anthropology, history, political science, as well as psychology, economics,
business, etc. However, the course is not limited to social-science students,
but can also be of interest and use for those in the physical and other
sciences, especially biology (e.g. the issue of the role of biological
determinants in social inequality and human behavior overall). Preferably,
students should possess some elementary preparation in sociology and related
social sciences at the introductory level.
Given its intermediate character, the course can serve as a stepping-stone for further studies of social stratification on undergraduate as well as graduate levels.
This course will seek to attain the following goals:
Course
Requirements
This course has simple
requirements, namely objective exams only, simplifying and objectifying the
grading process as much as possible. In this course there will be two exams, a
midterm exam and a final examination (see course schedule). The format of
midterm and final exams will have short, clear multiple-choice questions
(usually 50). The exams will be objective such to evaluate students’ reading,
knowledge, and grasp of the readings. Exam scores will be computer-generated
and so will be the final grade. Therefore there will be no subjective elements in how exam scores and the final grade are
determined. The worth of each exam will be 100 points (maximum). Exams will be
given and taken only online (UNT Blackboard Learn) during the specified time
period and with specific time limits (e.g., 1 hour).
Failure to take an online
exam, without proper documented justification, during the specified time period
(see below) will result in a zero (0)
score for the missed exam. If an online exam is missed with documented
justification during the specified period, make-up exams can be taken either
online or in person (closed books and
notes) in the department of sociology no later than 2 days after the specified
exam period. This applies only to midterm
exams, no final make-up exams will be
given after the specified time period. Therefore, no incompletes will be given in case of a failure to take an exam
during the specified time period without documented justification.
Exams cannot be retaken or continued either online or in person because
of ‘bad’ Internet connection and other computer ‘problems’. It is student
responsibility to have a proper Internet connection and computer. Online
computer-generated exam scores are final and cannot be changed by professor under any circumstances (just as SAT
or GRE scores cannot be changed). Each exam may be taken only ONCE (in one
attempt), and any attempts to take the exam again will be an act of academic
dishonesty and pursued accordingly. Exams must be taken by each student individually and independently of other
students, and not in groups and collaboratively; if it is determined that an
online exam is taken in groups and collaboratively, this will be treated as
academic dishonesty and pursued accordingly. There is no ‘curving’ of exam
scores.
Technical
instructions (from UNT CLEAR).
Avoid using a wireless connection for exams unless one is certain of its
reliability. Take exams using a supported web browser on a computer or laptop
rather than using an iPad. If using an iPad, the Chrome browser is recommended. Contact the UIT Helpdesk at 940-565-2324 for assistance in the
event of technical problems affecting the ability to access or complete a test.
It is the policy of this
course that no extra-credits or
‘special treatments’ will be given to any students. Online discussions are
optional (not required), and used as the tool to better prepare students for
exams, and not for extra-points. The
only basis for dispensing credits/grades is objective performance and merit
rather than needs, desires and other subjective considerations. This ensures
maximum fairness in grading. It is students’ own responsibility for class
notes, outlines, announcements, etc. The professor will be always and maximally
available to students online and in office to address their queries and concerns.
Final grades will be calculated as follows.
Midterm Exam 100 points (maximum)
Final Exam 100 points (maximum)
-----------------------------
Total points from exams 200 points (maximum)/divided by 2
The following grading scale will be applied:
Total Points/Divided by 2 Grade
180/2 = 90 and above A
160‑179/2 = 80+ B
140‑159/2 = 70+ C
120‑139/2 = 60+ D
Under 120/2 = less than 60 F
Required.
Martin Marger. Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes. McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-352830-4
Tentative
Assignments by Weeks
(Please note that course schedule is subject to change when necessary)
June 03-10 2013 Reading Assignments
Ch. 1. An Introduction to the Study of Social Inequality, in Marger, pp. 1-25.
Ch. 3. The American Class System, in Marger, pp. 53-80.
June 10-17 2013 Reading Assignments
Ch. 4. The Upper Class and the Power Elite, in Marger, pp. 81-107.
Ch. 5. The Middle Classes and the Changing Economy, in Marger, pp. 108-140.
June 17-20, 2013 Reading Assignment
Ch. 6. Poverty and the Poor in Marger, pp. 141-176.
Review for Midterm Exam
June 21, 2013 Midterm Exam Ch. 1, 3-6 (online) from 7.00AM-7.00PM
June 21-24, 2013 Reading Assignments
Ch. 7. Stratification Systems and Social Mobility, in Marger, pp. 177-212.
Ch. 8. Ideology and Legitimation of Inequality, in Marger, pp. 213-246.
June 24-July 01, 2013 Reading Assignments
Ch. 9. Public Policy and the Class System, pp. 247-277.
July 01-04, 2013 Reading Assignments
Ch. 11. Racial and Ethnic Stratification, in Marger, pp. 301-334.
Ch. 13. Political Inequality, in Marger, pp. 367-402.
Review for Final Exam
July 05, 2013 Final Exam Ch. 7-11, 13 (online) from 7.00AM-7.00PM