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Not available in 2024/25
SO312      Half Unit
Work, Inequality and Society

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Patrick McGovern STC.S110

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Language, Culture and Society and BSc in Sociology. This course is not available as an outside option. This course is available with permission to General Course students.

This course is not available as a first year option.

This course has a limited number of places (it is capped). Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Course content

Sociological perspectives on cross-national differences in employment and social inequality.

Theoretical perspectives on inequality;  gender in the labour market; occupational segregation;  the ‘glass ceiling’; immigrant employment; race, ethnicity and discrimination; social class at work; class reproduction in elite firms; the rise of wage inequality; and income inequality in the mass media.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of lectures/seminars, online materials and classes totalling a minimum of 20 hours in WT.

Reading Weeks: Students on this course will have a reading week in WT Week 6, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

1,500 word essay due in Week 8 of WT.

Indicative reading

W. Bottero , W. (2018) A Sense of Inequality;

Friedman, S. and Laurison, D. (2020) The Class Ceiling;

Tilly, C. & C. Tilly (1998) Work Under Capitalism;  

Grusky, D. (2014) (4th ed) Social Stratification;

McGovern, P. et al. (2007) Market, Class, and Employment;

Padavic, I. & Reskin, B. (2002) Women and Men at Work;

Payne, G. (ed.) (2013) Social Divisions

L. Platt, L.  (2011) Understanding Inequalities;

D. Tomaskovic-Devy, D. and D. Avent-Holt (2018) Relational Inequalities.


Further reading will be detailed in the course syllabus.

Assessment

Essay (90%, 3000 words) in the ST.
Class participation (10%) in the WT.

An electronic copy of the assessed essay, to be uploaded to Moodle, no later than 4.00pm on the submission day. Assessed essay due Tuesday of Week 1 in ST. 

Attendance at all classes and submission of all set coursework is required.

Key facts

Department: Sociology

Total students 2023/24: 34

Average class size 2023/24: 17

Capped 2023/24: Yes (34)

Value: Half Unit

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills