Unit 4 Inequalities of Race and Social Class
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Transcript of Unit 4 Inequalities of Race and Social Class
Unit 4 Inequalities of Race and Social Class
Introductory Sociology
Reading Assignment
After the test, read the following pages
in the green Sociology Text:
Pages 276-279
Answer the 2 questions at the bottom of
page 279. Hand in your answers.
Race and Ethnicity
Race – people sharing certain biologically inherited physical characteristics that are considered important within a society
Ethnicity – Shared cultural heritage. (Common ancestor, language, or religion that together make a distinctive social identity)
Ethnic Minority – group identified by cultural, religious, or national characteristics
1. How would you describe yourself racially or ethnically?
2. How do you think others would describe you?
3. How important is your race or ethnicity to you personally?
4. Do you believe that race or ethnicity is a factor in how your friends relate to you?
5. Is your community (neighbourhood) a reflection of your race or ethnicity?
6. Do you place much importance on race or ethnicity?
7. Do you think others put a lot of importance on your race or ethnicity?
8. Is race an important issue in society, or do we make too much or it? Is ethnicity an important issue?
ReflectionExit Slip Race and Ethnicity1) Did everyone in your group have similar answers?
If yes, why do you think your answers were similar?
If no, why do you think your answers were different?
2) Did you learn something new from someone in your group? What did you learn?
3) Was your group discussion awkward for you? Why or why not?
Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity
Stereotype
a distorted, exaggerated or oversimplified image applied to a category of people
Terms and Definitions
Prejudice – widely held negative attitudes toward a group and its individual members (thoughts)
Discrimination – treating people differently based on ethnicity, race, religion or culture (behaviour)
Racism – an extreme form of prejudice that assumes superiority of one group over others
Inequalities of Race Activity
In a group fill in the following chart with examples of people that fit the
following:
1 3
2 4
Prejudiced
Non-prejudiced
Discriminates Doesn’t discriminate
Discrimination? Prejudice? Racism?
1. A real estate agent purposely does not show a Hispanic couple homes in a white neighborhood.
2. Slavery was justified in the United States by whites who felt the black race didn't possess the innate intelligence of the white race.
Discrimination? Prejudice? Racism?
3. Amy is reluctant to meet her college roommate because she knows the girl is from a very small farming community and will probably be very different.
Discrimination? Prejudice? Racism?
4. Women are not permitted to join, play golf or enter an exclusive golf club.
5. Joe is reluctant to befriend the exchange student from Afghanistan because he feels people from Afghanistan are all the enemy.
Discrimination
Discussion Questions:
o Think about a time in your life when you have been discriminated against.
Have groups at VMC been discriminated against? How?
How are people discriminated by what they wear?Read page 249 “You are What You Wear”
Terms and Definitions
Hate crime
a criminal act against a person or a person’s property by an offender motivated by racial or other bias.
The Truth About Hate
1. Why do you think many of the teenagers in the video had prejudiced opinions at first?
2. Which part of the video was most memorable to you? Why?
3. Do you think that racism and prejudice are being eliminated in Canada? Are things staying the same or getting worse? Explain your answer.
49 Up Assignment Part A
While you are viewing the documentary, fill in the following information about each person:
Past life: social class, family life, future hopes, accomplishments, jobs, happy?
Present: social class, married/divorced/single, children, job, regrets. Happy?
49 Up Assignment Part B
1. What did you learn from the people in the video about the class you are born into?
2. What person did you feel attached to and why?3. What person surprised you and why?4. You are part of a video production called 5 Up.
Starting at age 5 write down social class, family life, future hopes, accomplishments…happy?...for the following ages:
Age 5Age 10Age 15Age 20
Social Class and Poverty in Canada
Social Stratification
• Ranking of people or groups according to their unequal access to scarce resources
• Creation of layers of people who possess unequal shares of scarce resources
Social Class
• “The Layers”
• Segment of the population whose members hold similar amounts of resources and share values, norms and an identifiable lifestyle.
1. Economic Dimensions
Income – amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period
Wealth – total economic resources held by a person or group
2. Power Dimension
Power – ability to control the behaviour of others, even against their will
3. Prestige Dimension
Prestige – recognition, respect, and admiration attached to social positions
Social MobilityThe movement of individuals or groups
between social classes
Horizontal Mobility – a change in occupation within the same social class
Vertical Mobility – a change in upward or downward in occupational status or social class
Social Systems
Open Class Systeman individual’s social class is based on merit and individual effort. Individuals move up and down the stratification structure because of their abilities, education and resources
Caste Systema stratification structure that does not allow for social mobility
Upper Class
3-5% of the population Most have inherited their wealth Some have earned their fortunes Go to expensive private schools and universities Work as top executives in large corporations
Upper-upper class – 1% of this class, distinguishedprimarily by “old money”
Lower-upper class – remaining 2-4%...”nouveau riche.”http://www.forbes.comhttp://www.forbes.com/2010/03/09/youngest-billionaires-mark-zuckerberg-sergey-brin-billionaires-2010-
page_slide_2.html?partner=cbc
Middle Class
40-50% of the population Often are white collar workers Attend university or college Professional and business occupations Mass media are largely aimed at a middle-class
audienceUpper Middle – family incomes of $100,000+Middle-Middle – family incomes of $50,000 - $100,000Lower Middles typically works in less prestigious white-
collar occupations or highly skilled blue-collar jobs – average family incomes under $50,000 ($35,000-$50,000)
Working Class
30% of the population Blue-collar workers Essentially, members of the working class work in unskilled or
semiskilled professions for wages which are typically low. Many work in factories or at manual labour jobs No Accumulated Wealth Jobs provide less personal satisfaction
Lower Class or The Poor 20% of the populationThe Working Poor
Incomes are often insufficient to cover necessities of life
Work for minimum wage or supported entirely by welfare payments
Typically live in less desirable neighbourhoods
Many have jobs below their skill level
The Homeless
Unskilled or unemployed older people
Younger runaways due to abuse or not getting along with parents
Some are alcoholic or drug dependant and about one-third have a mental illness
The poor are less able to rise above their circumstances than the working class, due to lack of resources
Social Stratification Project
Social Class Activity
Class: Percentage of Wealth
Upper Class (3-5%) 89%
Middle Class (40-50%)
Upper Middle (10-15%) 5% Middle (30-40%) 3%
Working Class (30%) 2%
The Poor (20%)
Working Poor (13%) 1%
Homeless (12%) 0%
Social Class “candy” Activity
Reflect on the activity:
How did you feel about this activity and the class you were ascribed?
Do you experience class division in your own life or witness it in the world around you?