SO478
Social Scientific Analysis of Inequalities
This information is for the 2015/16 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Michael Savage STC S210
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Inequalities and Social Science. This course is not available as an outside option.
Course content
The course will consider how the issue of inequality is examined in each of the main contributing disciplines (Economics, Geography, Media and Communications, Social Anthropology, Social Policy, Sociology). Drawing on contrasting perspectives from different disciplines, topics to be covered would include patterns and trends in economic inequalities; approaches to quantitative measurement of inequality; wider aspects of inequalities and the capabilities approach; inequalities and gender, ethnicity and age; social and intergenerational mobility; geographical and neighbourhood polarisation; health inequalities; media representation of inequalities; ethical and philosophical approaches; policy and the impact of government.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of classes in the ST.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT and 1 essay in the LT.
Indicative reading
David Grusky (ed), Social Social Stratification; class, race and gender in sociological perspective, Westview
Oxford Handbook of Economic Inequality (ed. W. Salverda, B. Nolan and T. Smeeding, OUP, 2009)
Changing fortunes: Income mobility and poverty dynamics in Britian (S,Jenkins, OUP, 2011)
Inequality and the State (J. Hills, OUP, 2004)
Assessment
Exam (50%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 3000 words) in the LT.
Essay (25%, 3000 words) in the ST.
Two hard copies of each assessed essay, with submission sheets attached to each, to be handed in to the Administration Office, S116, no later than 16:30 on the submission day. The first essay is due by the second Wednesday of Lent Term and the second essay is due by the second Wednesday of Summer Term. An additional copy of each essay is to be uploaded to Moodle no later than 18:00 on the same day each essay is due.
Key facts
Department: Sociology
Total students 2014/15: Unavailable
Average class size 2014/15: Unavailable
Controlled access 2014/15: No
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Commercial awareness
- Specialist skills