Inequality - A Contemporary Approach to Race, Class, and Gender

Social stratification is the grouping of people based on income, wealth, political influence and other characteristics. Widely recognized categories such as upper, middle and lower class reflect the presence of social stratification in all societies. Inequality refers to the inevitable disparities in peoples positions in this structure. The research presented in this book ranges from studies of income and wealth disparities to analyses of the nature of the class system. This textbook reflects a hybrid approach to studying stratification. It addresses the knowledge accumulated by stratification scholars and challenges students to apply this information to their social world. The authors include a wide range of topics and provide current research to round out their discussions. Each chapter includes a list of key concepts, questions for thought, suggested exercises and multimedia resources. Contents
1. Social stratification and opportunities
2. Explaining stratification: theories and ideas
3. Understanding stratification: methods of evaluation
4. Class and the structure of inequality
5. The upper class and the elite
6. The middle class and workers
7. The working poor and the underclass
8. Social mobility
9. Education and inequality
10. Women and their changing positions
11. Race and ethnicity
12. Culture
13. Inequality across the globe
14. Public policy and social stratification.

Author/Editor Details
Lisa A. Keister, Duke University, North Carolina