Today:

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Today
Social Stratification Theories
Success means having the courage, the
determination, and the will to become the person
you believe you were meant to be. George
Sheehan, Philosopher
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Extra Credit Options on Website

• All extra credit due Dec 4th/5th (1 week before
  finals)
• Must be typed and handed in, not e-mailed

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What is social stratification?

• Institutionalized pattern of inequality
• Some people get more access to resources than
  others
• Reflecting inequalities in life chances

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Conflict Perspective

• Karl Marx
• Ruling class controls the economic system for its
  own benefit
• Exploits and oppresses the masses

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Conflict Perspective
Occupy Wall Street Protests
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vZgr3DiqWYCI
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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Poverty persists because it performs some
  positive function

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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore
  (1945) highly criticized view
• Provides society with people willing to do less
  desirable jobs
• Provides jobs
• Provides a market for lesser goods

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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore
  (1945) highly criticized view
• Talents are rewarded
• All positions in a society (doctors - janitors)
  must be filled
• Poverty discourages people
  from neglecting their social
  duties

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Functionalist Perspective

• Criticized because not all careers are rewarded
  for their value in society

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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Major institutions in society not functioning
  properly

1. bad economy
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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Major institutions in society not functioning
  properly

2. bad schools
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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Major institutions in society not functioning
  properly

3. family breakdown
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Causes of PovertyFunctionalist Perspective

• Major institutions in society not functioning
  properly

4. problems with government assistance
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Causes of PovertySymbolic Interactionist
Perspective

• Culture of poverty viewing problematic behaviors
  (selling drugs, dropping out of school, not
  having a job) as normal

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Causes of PovertyInteractionist Perspective- 1st
view

• People get used to living in poverty
• Have difficulty changing the situation

Criticized because it seems to blame the victim
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Symbolic
Interactionist Perspective 2nd view

Labels of poor View of wealthy
irresponsible lazy low motivation low ability low morals capable hard working motivated deserving of wealth evil, greedy, undeserving
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How has U.S. policy influenced social
stratification?View The Way We Live. Ups and
Downs of Social Stratification
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The American Dream-Rags to Riches
America is the land of opportunities, anyone who
works hard enough can achieve anything and
accomplish any goal. Do you agree or disagree
with this statement? Why?
515-1730
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The American Dream-Rags to Riches
This belief called Horatio Alger myth belief
that due to limitless possibilities anyone can
get ahead if he or she tries hard enough
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What is social class?

• Max Weber people who rank closely to one another
  in terms of

class/wealth power prestige

Ability to get others to do what you want
Level of respect an individual or their position
demands
Property and income minus debt
1864-1920
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Status consistent vs. Status inconsistent

• Rank equally on all Status Consistent
• Status inconsistent not equal on all 3 measures
  of class

class/wealth power prestige
Property and income minus debt Ability to get others to do what you want Level of respect an individual or their position demand
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What is social class?

• Karl Marx a system of haves and have-nots
• based on the means of production
• 2 classes bourgeoisie and proletariat

Lawyer who works for a firm and clients
Independent cab driver who owns his taxi
1818 1883
Bourgeois adjective
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C. Wright Mills

• Power Elite
• Key people in three major institutions of modern
  society

• economy

military
government
1916-1962
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Power Elite

• Small group of people who control a high amount
  of wealth
• and access to decision-making of global
  consequence

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Capitalism A Love Story
View Capitalism A Love Story Michael
Moore Extra credit option
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• Which explanation of poverty applies best to
  todays economic crisis?

• a. Symbolic Interactionist A people get
  accustomed to living in poverty and therefore
  have difficulty changing the situation
• b. Symbolic Interactionist B people in poverty
  get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities
  due to the label
• c. Structural Functionalist poverty is a
  functional in society, it motivates people to
  seek higher rewards
• d. Conflict Theory The masses are exploited by
  the few who have money and power

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Extra Credit OpportunityVideo Review
View Mammoth
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Coming up
Next Class Health-Read article on website
College Students Health