Discipline: Sociology Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Sociology 3


COURSE DESCRIPTION
3 Social Inequality Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
This course introduces students to the extent of inequality in its various forms in American society, the consequences of inequality for individual life chances and for society as a whole, the theoretical explanations given for the existence of inequality, and to the persistence of inequality and poverty. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
An introduction to the extent of inequality in its various forms in American society.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Demonstrate a knowledge of classical and contemporary theoretical
      explanations of societal stratification and inequality in America.

2.   Demonstrate a knowledge of the breadth, scope, and intensity of varied
      forms of social inequality in America.

3.   Demonstrate a knowledge of the consequences of social inequality for both
      the individual in society and for the society as a whole.

4.   Demonstrate a knowledge of the processes and practices which contribute
      to the persistence of social inequality in America.

5.   Demonstrate an ability to think critically and provide a critical analysis of
      contemporary systems of inequality in a manner to understand the causes,
      consequences, and possible remedies for social inequality in America.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

Lectures, discussions, and assignments will offer the approximate content below:

1.   An introduction to the sociological method for the study of social
      inequality, to include theoretical foundations and research methods.
2.   An introductory and critical analysis of the following structures of social
      inequality, to include their societal origins, evolutionary processes, 
      current status, and possible remediation:
      a.   the distribution of wealth and power
      b.   criminal justice practices
      c.   poverty and deprivation
      d.   race and ethnic relations
      e.   gender and age
       f.   urban and rural differences
      g.   education and health care
      h.   the American class structure
       i.   the exercise of civil liberties
       j.   systems of discrimination
      k.   factual and ideological dimensions of social inequality

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  •  Lecture
  •  Classroom discussion
  •  Audio-visual aids, to include on-line and internet strategies
  •  Small-group activities
  •  Out-of-class projects, reading, and writing assignments

 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Written and/or oral examination, both objective and subjective methods
  • Small group activities.
  • Library, on-line, and internet research assignments
  • Oral presentations
  • Course papers
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Marger, Martin N.. Social Inequality: Patterns and Processes. any: McGraw Hill Publishers, 2005.
  • Anderson, Margaret L and Patricia H. Collins . Race, Class and Gender. any: Wadsworth Publishers, 2005.
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