Social Inequality

The student understands theoretical and empirical approaches and discussions related to social inequality and is capable of utilizing them in analysing societal phenomena. The course aims at developing students’ critical and analytical skills (which are necessary for careers related to the social sciences). By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to • describe different forms and explanations for social inequality • compare the main sociological frameworks used for studying social inequality • analyse and evaluate differences between sociological approaches to inequality Furthermore, the course aims at helping students develop work-related skills such as * analytical skills: critically compare arguments * interaction skills: presenting and discussing viewpoints in group discussions

Literature for the **lecture course**: A number of academic articles and book chapters. Details on the assigned texts and how to acquire them will published on the course’s Moodle page. Literature for the **book exam alternative** to the lecture course (5 ects): (All three books are part of the exam, with one essay question for each book. Passing the exam requires at least a pass grade for each of the three questions.) - Keister, Lisa and Darby Southgate (2022). Inequality. A contemporary approach to race, class, and gender. Second edition. Cambridge. Chapters 1,2,7,10. - Atkinson, Will (2024). Class. Second edition. - Malik, Kenan (2023). Not so black and white. A history of race from white supremacy to identity politics. Chapters 6-10.

This module will be available as a **lecture course** in the spring term. As an _alternative_ to the lecture course, students can obtain this module's credits via a **book exam** (=self-study based on literature, without course). The book exam is available throughout the academic year. Teaching on the course is in English but all written assignments (essay, exams, or seminar assignments, group work) can be submitted in either English or Finnish. Students sign up for the module in Peppi (note that the lecture course and the book exam option have different enrollment links). The book exam alternative additionally requires booking a personal exam time via the exam.utu.fi -system. (Note that for **book exam enrollments on Peppi**, you are automatically accepted -- even though Peppi may display your enrollment status as "pending".) **Please note** that there are two different versions of this module: one for bachelor-level students and one for master-level students. Please make sure you sign up to the version that corresponds to your programme: - _Bachelor-level_ students should take this module (SOST0013), which is recommended _after_ the first year of studies in the bachelor programme in social sciences (either as the lecture course or the book exam) - _Master-level_ students should instead sign up for INWS0014 (please consult that module's study guide info for details)