Sociology 4035 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

Required Readings

D. W. Rossides, SOCIAL STRATIFICATION, chs. 1 through 7 S. Rose, SOCIAL STRATIFICATION IN AMERICA handout on Inheritance

Additional Optional Readings *

K. Marx, "Bourgeois and Proletarians"
Max Weber, "Class, Status, and Party."
Kingsley Davis and Wilbert E. Moore, "Some Principles of Social Stratification."
Melvin M. Tumin, "Some Principles of Stratification: A Critical Analysis."

• Available on reserve at Norlin Library.

You must answer ALL the short-answer questions and TWO essay questions (four double-spaced pages or less each). A relatively short, well argued answer is better than one which is long, rambling and without substance. The exam should be typewritten or legibly printed: please do not use a very small font. Proofread your exam: spelling erros will lower your grade.

     Be organized, clear and concise;  remember that quality is
     more important than quantity.  THINK before you write.  

IMPORTANT: Your answers should reflect your knowledge and understanding of theories of social stratification and the meaning of research findings, not simply your opinions or feelings: avoid expressions such as, for example, "I feel that inequality is functional for society ..." or "Weber feels that class situation is......" For example, if you conclude that inequality is functional (i.e, it has positive social effects), say so and present arguments and evidence -- NOT feelings -- to support that conclusion. And in presenting sociologists' views, remember that we study their theories and research findings, NOT their "feelings."

Short-answer questions

1. Define social stratification. Why is it important to study social stratification?
2. Social class is a relational concept. Why? Be specific and give an example to illustrate the relational nature of social class.
3. Is socio-economic status a relational concept? Why? What does the study of socio-economic status differences entail? Give an example to illustrate its main characteristic.
4. Identify three important historical determinants of current patterns of U.S. stratification and briefly state why you consider them important.
5. Define the Marxian concept of class.
6. Define the Weberian concept of class.
7. What do Marx and Weber identify as the most important basis for class differences? Why is it so important?

Essay Questions

1. What are the main arguments with which functionalist theory explains the existence and persistence of social stratification? In their view, does society benefit from social inequality? Why? Which important determinant of inequality does this theory neglect? What negative functions of inequality can you identify? Give examples and assess the strengths and limitations of this theory.
2. Compare and contrast the Marxian and the Weberian theories of social class. Are these theories contradictory or complementary? Why? What are the major contributions of each sociological tradition to our understanding of class differences in modern industrial societies?
3. According to Giddens, certain processes of "structuration," such as social mobility, changes in the division of labor, bureaucratic hierarchy, and patterns of consumption affect the transformation of economic classes into social classes. Explain the difference between these two concepts of class and discuss the ways in which those processes may be favorable or unfavorable for the "structuration" of social classes. Give examples to illustrate your points.
4. What important economic, social and political changes in the U.S. have contributed to produce current patterns in U.S. class and socio-economic stratification? What contemporary economic processes are increasing wealth and income inequality while altering the opportunities and expectations for the younger generations? Be specific and give examples.
5. The development of the world-capitalist market or globalization of the economy has profound effects in the stratification within and among nation states. Explain, giving examples. Is U.S. stratification and mobility patterns affected by the global economy? Why? In what ways? Give examples to illustrate your points and kinds of mobility patterns.