Department of Sociology

Social Stratification and Mobility(SOC213)

Course Code Course Name Semester Theory Practice Lab Credit ECTS
SOC213 Social Stratification and Mobility 3 3 0 0 3 6
Prerequisites
Admission Requirements
Language of Instruction Turkish
Course Type Compulsory
Course Level Bachelor Degree
Course Instructor(s) Kamil Cem ÖZATALAY cozatalay@gsu.edu.tr (Email)
Assistant
Objective The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the sociological literature on the classification of individuals into the groups according to inequalities and their class formation process over time in a given society.
Content In the first part of the course, the focus will be on social distinction theories developed at the end of 18th and especially in the 19th century due to level of aggravation of social question. Secondly, the devaluation of the concept of class in the writings of the founders of 'classical sociology' will be treated. The third part will be devoted to the birth of the sociology of social stratification after the Second World War. And finally, we will address the “end-of-class” debate and discuss the pluralization of inequalities at global level due to neoliberal policies.
Course Learning Outcomes In alignment with the objectives of this course, the student will acquire the intellectual tools to look with a critical eye at the inequalities in our contemporary society.
Teaching and Learning Methods Lectures and discussion of weekly readings.
References BENETON P. Les Classes Sociales. Paris : Presses Universitaires de France, 1991.
BORATAV K. İstanbul ve Anadolu’dan Sınıf Profilleri. Ankara : İmge Kitabevi Yayınları, 2004.
BOSC S. Stratification et Classes Sociales – La société française en mutation. Paris : Armand Colin, 6ème éd., 2008.
BOURDIEU P. « Espace social et genèse des “classes” » Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, n° 52-53, 1984, pp. 3-14.
DESROSIERES A., THEVENOT L. Les catégories socioprofessionnelles - Un instrument de travail indispensable. Paris : La Découverte / Repères, [1988] 2002.
DEVINE F. et al. Rethinking Class: Culture, Identities and Lifestyle. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
HOGGART R. The Uses of Literacy: Aspects of Working Class Life. Londres : Chatto and Windus, 1957.
Le retour des classes sociales - Inégalités, dominations, conflits / ed. par P. BOUFFARTIGUE. Paris : La Dispute, 2004.
MARX K, ENGELS F. Manifeste du parti communiste. Paris : Librio, 2004.
ROSANVALLON P. La question syndicale. Paris : Hachette, [1988] 1998.
SAVAGE M. Class Analysis and Social Transformation. Buckingham : Open University Press, 2000.
SKEGGS B. Formations of Class and Gender. Londres : Sage, 1997.
SKEGGS B. Class, Self, Culture. Londres : Routledge, 2004.
THERBORN G. Science, Class and Society. Londres : Verso, 1980.
WEBER M. Économie et Société. Paris : Librairie Plon, 1971.
WRIGHT E.O. Classes. Londres : Verso, 1985.
Print the course contents
Theory Topics
Week Weekly Contents
1 Presentation of the course
2 Naming and Classifying: Fundamental Instruments of the Modern Mind to Understand and Explain Social Reality
3 Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism and the Birth of Egalitariansm in Rights.
4 The emergence of the concept of class throughout the social question discussions - Karl Marx
5 The view on social inequalities and classes in classical sociology (I) - Emile Durkheim
6 The view on social inequalities and classes in classical sociology (II) - Maurice Halbwachs
7 The view on social inequalities and classes in classical sociology (III) - Max Weber
8 Mid-term examination
9 British post-war sociology: Mourning for the old society's working-class culture. (Hoggart, Young, Wilmott, etc.)
10 The Davis-Moore Theory and emergence of the sociology of mobility and stratification in the United States.
11 Social space theory of Pierre Bourdieu
12 J. H. Goldthorpe: From Affluent Worker Thesis to Service Class
13 Eric Olin Wright: Contradictory Class Positions Approach
14 Current Classifications of Social Class and Occupational Groups
Practice Topics
Week Weekly Contents
Contribution to Overall Grade
  Number Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade 1 40
Contribution of final exam to overall grade 1 60
Toplam 2 100
In-Term Studies
  Number Contribution
Assignments 0 0
Presentation 0 0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation) 2 100
Project 0 0
Laboratory 0 0
Other Applications 0 0
Quiz 0 0
Term Paper/ Project 0 0
Portfolio Study 0 0
Reports 0 0
Learning Diary 0 0
Thesis/ Project 0 0
Seminar 0 0
Other 0 0
Toplam 2 100
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5
1 The student will be able to recognize and assess the essential theoretical perspectives both in sociology and its related domains. X
2 The student will be able to make use of the major theoretical analyses and sociological concepts in his/her own research topics. X
3 The student will be able to articulate sociological perspective and reasoning with social and historical facts, and to interpret social and historical issues with a sociological eye. X
4 The student will be able to assess the current state of research and knowledge on the classical and contemporary domains of sociological inquiry as well as its relevant fields. X
5 The student will be able to design and conduct a sociological research with appropriate theoretical construction and empirical methods. X
6 The student will be able to produce a written research report that relates research questions to empirical findings. X
7 The student will be able to appropriately use both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. X
8 The student will be able to make appropriate use of statistical software programs for data processing and analysis.
9 The student will be able to make appropriate use of statistical software programs for data processing and analysis. X
10 Graduates will be able to follow the scientific production both in English and French as well as Turkish. X
11 Graduates will be able to develop a comparative and interdisciplinary approach which will integrate sociology within a broader social science perspective. X
12 Graduates will be able to interpret the history and modernization of Turkey through its sociological consequences. X
13 The student will be able to intervene to social and political processes in order to propose possible solutions to the problems caused by social inequalities and discriminations. X
14 The student will be able to develop a reflexive point of view on his/her position as a a sociologist as well as a researcher. X
Activities Number Period Total Workload
Class Hours 14 3 42
Working Hours out of Class 14 4 56
Midterm Examinations (including preparation) 1 13 13
Final Examinations (including preparation) 1 17 17
Total Workload 128
Total Workload / 25 5,12
Credits ECTS 5
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