Social Stratification and Inequalities 2

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This module provides an introduction to the field of social stratification and inequalities. Social stratification is one of the most important topics in sociology because everything we study is directly or indirectly related to inequalities; its causes, its consequences, and its implications for social policy. We will cover the major theoretical perspectives, ranging from classical to contemporary, that have animated the field. We will also examine a diverse range of substantive topics, with a particular focus on education. As a critical social institution, education plays a dual role in enabling individuals' status attainment while also contributing to the reproduction of social inequalities. The module explores questions such as: How is access to education unequally distributed? In what ways might education contribute to social mobility or reinforce inequality? How does a meritocratic system based on educational attainment help maintain existing social hierarchies? Drawing on a range of sociological perspectives, the module provides a critical understanding of the role of education in contemporary systems of social stratification.