Soc Day 19 - Social Class in America

Objective:  Analyze the impact of stratification and social class on society.  Identify the characteristics of the working poor and the working class.  Describe the traits of the upper class.

Task:  To begin class, we'll continue our notes on social class in America.  Then, we'll discuss the working poor (via "Nickel-and-Dimed") and the working class (via "Moving up").  Finally, you'll post reflections to the Moodle forum.

Article Discussion Assignments:

• "The Uses of Poverty" - Sean, Jimmy, Keenen
• "Nickel-and-Dimed" - Bridget, Janie, Hope
• "Moving Up From the Working Class" - Brian, Mark, Liz
• "Uses of Global Poverty" - Rowan, Brendan 

Homework:

• TODAY - Article discussion for "Nickel-and-Dimed"
• TODAY - Article discussion for "Moving Up From the Working Class"
• TODAY- Summary & discussion questions for "Uses of Global Poverty" due on Moodle by 3:00 pm
• Thursday, February 26 - Article discussion for 'The Uses of Global Poverty"
• Friday, February 27 - Discussion "Is There a Better Way to Fight Terrorism?" (Freakonomics, 2/13/2015)
• Wednesday, March 4 - "Songs of Stratification" presentations
• Thursday, March 5 - "Songs of Stratification" presentations

Extending class discussion:

The "official list" of the upper class:  The Social Register

Audio slideshow: Rich on Nantucket

Article:  Old Nantucket Warily Meets the New

News clip: American Versailles: Temple to Excess?  (Note:  This is not the "old money" upper class we discussed in class.)