Course Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to effectively and critically:

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1 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION SOCI L; Spring 2018 This class is fully online. To get started with the class and for information about this syllabus, please watch Lecture 0.1 Overview available on BlackBoard. PHOTO BY: INGE MORATH Instructor: Dr. Billy Ulibarrí (Dr. U) Office: MAIN (Brownsville Campus) OH: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 1:30pm - 2:30pm billy.ulibarri@utrgv.edu Phone: (no answering service) BB IM: DrUlibarri Course Description: This junior/senior-level course examines major sociological perspectives on social stratification and social inequality. Specifically, we will learn how sociologists study and understand the processes by which people are categorically ranked in society, discuss issues concerning the distribution of wealth and income, explore the role of political power in maintaining systems of inequality, and theorize about the causes and consequences of social inequality for specific groups of individuals. In addition to studying social, political, and economic structures, special interest will be taken in discussing how inequality is perpetuated in our everyday interactions and language. We will review major sociological theoretical perspectives and review contemporary research on social stratification both in the United States and around the globe. PREREQ: SOCI 1301 Course Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to effectively and critically: 1) Apply sociological theories, principles, and research methodologies to present-day practical questions of social stratification; 2) Compare past and present trends of social stratification and inequality in the United States with those found in other contemporary societies; SYL L S18 Ulibarri 1

2 3) Assess the role of power, politics, culture, social networks, and socialization in maintaining a stratified society; 4) Evaluate the impact of interpersonal, institutional, and cultural classicism (systems of privilege and disadvantage) on social policy and group relations in the international, national, and local contexts; 5) Reflect upon and explore your own and your family s socio-economic status, attitudes toward money, and occupation trajectories. Required Textbooks and other Materials: Hurst, Charles E. (2017). Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences. 9 th Edition. Pearson Publishers, Boston. * Older editions of this text are NOT acceptable. Perkins, John. (2006). Confessions of an Economic Hitman. Plume, New York. Other articles, videos, films, or web resources are assigned. In these instances, they are freely available on Blackboard in the Additional Readings tab. BlackBoard Instant Messenger. This program is required for contacting me during office hours. Campus computers are likely to have this program already loaded. If you plan on using your own computer to contact me during office hours, you must have access to this program. (Of course, is always an option, although there may be a delay in my responses BB IM during office hours is the best way to communicate with me in real time with questions about your grades, the readings, lectures, etc). NOTE: If this is your first time taking an online course, or you are unfamiliar with the above programs, I strongly suggest you spend time familiarizing yourself with the BlackBoard learning environment. Under the Syllabus tab, see the BlackBoard Orientation Course and Netiquette Guidelines for a quick primer. How is this course organized? New content will be posted every Monday and Wednesday in accordance with the Course Calendar. In the Assigned Reading column of the Course Calendar, you will see the assigned reading for each day. When articles or videos other than the textbooks are assigned, they are denoted with (BB), you will find these items in the Additional Readings/ Videos tab in BB. Readings that are designated with [REC] are recommended and are not required. SYL L S18 Ulibarri 2

3 In the Lecture column of the Course Calendar, you will see which recorded video lectures are required for each day. Note that some chapters will have 2 lectures associated with it, whereas others may have only 1. NOTE: Pay close attention to the lecture names, some are labeled with numbers and other letters. (For example, Lecture 1.1 and Lecture F.1) You can find the recorded lectures under the Tegrity Classes tab. (It is best to read the chapters before watching the videos.) The lectures will be based primarily on selected sections of the assigned reading material and other materials not included in the reading. What this means is that the book does not cover everything in the lectures and the lectures do not cover everything in the book. This course is organized around the chapters of our textbook, Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences 9 th ed. Each chapter takes on a different dimension of social inequality, whether it is theoretical explanations of inequality or the various forms inequality takes (economic, gender, political, etc. I do not provide lecture notes or PowerPoint slides independent of the lectures. Course Requirements (What am I graded on?) 1) Journal Entries (4). Journal entries are short (1-2 page), informal writing assignments designed to encourage personal engagement with course material. While they are not opinion pieces, they allow you to be reflective on course material as it applies to you, your life, and your interpretations. Journal entries will be submitted on BlackBoard. Late journals are not accepted 1) Exams (3). There will be three essay exams. Exams will cover material presented in class and readings. Exam grades are not curved. a. Lectures may cover material that is not contained in the textbooks/ readings. Likewise, it may not be possible to cover all the material contained in the assigned textbooks/ readings in our lectures. Students are responsible for all material in the lectures as well as all material in the textbooks/ readings. b. Exams can be made-up ONLY for a documented medical emergency or for the reasons outlined below under UTRGV Policy Statements. Make-ups are NOT to be assumed and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. If you miss an exam, you have 48 hours from the Exam s deadline to supply documentation. After 48 hours from the exam s deadline, you are ineligible for a make-up. THIS IS STRICTLY ENFORCED. i. If you are permitted a make-up, you will take the exam on UTRGV s Study Day. This is the only day allowed for make ups. 2) Pop Reading Quizzes (3). Periodically, you will be given a pop quiz. These quizzes are much shorter than regular exams and will be comprised of primarily multiple choice and SYL L S18 Ulibarri 3

4 true/ false questions, but may also include short answer or essay questions. The style and format for Reading Quizzes will vary. 3) Analysis Paper. You will submit a 4-5 written assignment in which you conduct a critical analysis of social stratification as it operates on a global scale, using the textbooks and an assigned film as your primary sources. Detailed instructions will be available a few weeks after the course begins. a. As part of the Analysis Paper, you will be required to complete a peer review exercise. 4) Extra Credit. Additional extra credit opportunities may be available. I do not give extra credit on an individual basis. a. At the end of the semester, students are asked to complete course evaluations. If 85% of students in the course have completed their evaluation by the end of the evaluation period, I will award all students extra credit points, equivalent to 2% of total points possible for the course. Grading and Evaluation Guidelines (How is my grade calculated?) 1) Your numerical grade is calculated by aggregating the following elements: Journals; 30 pts Reading Quizzes; 20 pts Exams; 60 pts Analysis Paper AP Peer Review 120 pts 60 pts 180 pts 100 pts 40 pts 2) Your final letter grade is determined by the percentage of points earned of the total points possible (470) % % = A 80.00% 89.99% = B 70.00% 79.99% = C 60.00% % = D 59.99% and below = F 3) You can track your grade in the Total column in the BlackBoard grade book. It is updated as your grades are added. Please note that I do not round up final grades % is a B. SYL L S18 Ulibarri 4

5 UT Rio Grande Valley Policy Statements Students with Disabilities: Students with a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects academic performance) who would like to receive academic accommodations should contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to initiate services. Accommodations can be arranged through SAS at any time, but are not retroactive. Students who suffer a broken bone, severe injury or undergo surgery during the semester are eligible for temporary services. o Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) (Voice) or via at ability@utrgv.edu. o Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) (Voice), (956) (Fax), or via at ability@utrgv.edu. Mandatory Evaluation Period : Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account ( you will be contacted through with further instructions. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Online evaluations will be available April 11 May 2 Scholastic Integrity: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism (including self-plagiarism), and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a Responsible Employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect that is free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. SYL L S18 Ulibarri 5

6 Course Calendar Date Required Reading Video Lecture Assignments 01/17/2018 [REC] Hurst: Chapter 1 (1-12) Video: "Wealth Inequality in America (BB) Video: Rich People do not create jobs (BB) Lecture 0.1 Overview Get your books! 01/22/2018 Wescott, "Just 8 men have the same wealth as the world's poorest half." (BB) Stelnicki, "NM inequality among worst in U.S." (BB) Lecture /24/2018 Hurst: Chapter 2 "Class, Income, and Wealth" (15-30) Lecture 2.1 Lecture 0.3 Journal Inst Journal 1 Posted 01/29/2018 Hurst: Chapter 2 "Class, Income, and Wealth" (31-44) Fitz, Economic Inequality: Its Far Worse Than You Think (BB) Lecture /31/2018 Hurst: Chapter 3 "Poverty and Welfare (45-70) Matthews: "Economists Tested 7 Welfare Programs (BB) Lecture 3.1 Journal 1 Due 02/05/2018 Hurst: Chapter 9, "Classical Explanations of Inequality" ( ) Lecture /07/2018 Hurst: Chapter 9, "Classical Explanations of Inequality" ( ) Lecture /12/2018 Hurst: Chapter 10, "Contemporary Explanations of Inequality" ( ) Lecture 10.1 Journal 2 Posted 02/14/2018 Hurst: Chapter 10, "Contemporary Explanations of Inequality" ( ) Lecture /19/2018 Hurst: Chapter 4, "The Theory of Status" (70-91) Lecture /21/2018 Journal 2 Due SYL L S18 Ulibarri 6

7 Date Required Reading Video Lecture Assignments 02/26/2018 EXAM 1 EXAM 1 02/28/2018 Hurst: Chapter 5, "Political Inequality" (92-114) Wilson, "Federal court finds Texas maps discriminate against minorities" (BB) Lecture /05/2018 Ingraham, Voter Fraud is Mostly a Myth (BB) Getting a Photo ID is Easy (BB) VIDEO: "Barred from the Ballot Box" "The Voting Rights Amendment Explained" [REC] "Alabama 1965 Voting Test" [REC] Lecture /07/2018 Hurst: Chapter 6, "Sex and Gender Inequality" ( ) Lecture 6.1 Journal 3 Posted 03/12/ /14/2018 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS 03/19/2018 Hurst: Chapter 6, "Sex and Gender Inequality" ( ) Bassett, "The U.N sent 3 foreign women to assess gender ineq" (BB) Lecture /21/2018 Hurst: Chapter 6, "Sex and Gender Inequality" ( ) Lecture 6.3 Journal 3 Due 03/26/2018 Lee, "I am a woman in computer science"(bb) Pao, "This is how sexism works in Silicon Valley" (BB) 03/28/2018 EXAM 2 EXAM 2 04/02/2018 Hurst: Video: Why Some Countries are Poor and Others are Rich (BB) Film, "The End of Poverty?" Lecture G.1 Analysis Paper Distributed 04/04/2018 Hurst: Chapter 7, "Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Inequality" ( ) Lecture 7.1 SYL L S18 Ulibarri 7

8 Date Required Reading Video Lecture Assignments 04/09/2018 Perkins: Parts I and II 04/11/2018 Perkins: Parts III and IV Lecture G.2 04/16/2018 Hurst: Chapter 8, "Racial and Ethnic Inequality" ( ) Lecture 8.1 Journal 4 Posted 04/18/2018 Hurst: Chapter 8, "Racial and Ethnic Inequality" ( ) 04/23/2018 Hurst: Chapter 8, "Racial and Ethnic Inequality" ( ) Lewin, "Black students face more discipline..." (BB) Swarns, "Biased Lending" (BB) Lecture 8.2 Peer Review Exercise Due 04/25/2018 Lecture 8.3 Journal 4 Due 04/30/2018 EXAM 3 05/02/2018 Analysis Paper Due; NO CLASS Make up exams: Thursday May 3, /07/ /09/2018 FINAL EXAMS; NO CLASS SYL L S18 Ulibarri 8