Students
SOCI3070 – Social Inequality
2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Associate Professor of Sociology and Unit Convenor
Shaun Wilson
Contact via Email for quick consultations or Zoom appointments on request
Room C344, Level 3, 25C Wally's Walk
By email appointment or Zoom
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The organisational and institutional dynamics of modern societies are powerful generators of social inequality and yet they equally generate resources through which inequalities can be identified and challenged. This unit explores the social mechanisms that drive inequalities and surveys the impact of socio-economic inequality on a wide range of areas of social life (gender, culture, employment, and the economy). The unit considers how sociological theory can explain the emergence and persistence of social inequalities, the normative conflicts and struggles that inequalities produce, and the ways social institutions overcome, respond or merely adapt to inequality. We conclude the unit by looking at whether democratic societies can survive widening socio-economic inequalities and how we might explain the improvement in some types of inequality and discrimination and the curious persistence of others.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: demonstrate an advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality
- ULO2: demonstrate an understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality
- ULO3: demonstrate an ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality
General Assessment Information
Late penalties
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 30% | No | Friday 29 April at 9pm |
| Examination | 60% | No | Exam period |
| Weekly participation | 10% | No | Weekly |
Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 55 hours
Due: Friday 29 April at 9pm
Weighting: 30%
Responses to six questions about interesting readings and problems in the field of social inequality.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality
- demonstrate an understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality
- demonstrate an ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality
Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 60%
Final examination at the end of Semester
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality
- demonstrate an understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality
- demonstrate an ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality
Weekly participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
Participation in at least 8 weeks of lectures and tutorials across the Semester OR ONLINE PARTICIPATION for online students
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality
- demonstrate an understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality
- demonstrate an ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
SOCI3070 lectures go for 2 hours on Tuesday mornings from 9am to 11am. They are held in 01CC 214 Active Learning Space
Face-to-face tutorials are held on the same day, at 12pm and 2pm in 01CC 105 Active Learning Space and 01CC 116 Active Learning Space respectively.
There is no tutorial in the first week of classes, so the first tutorials start on Tuesday 28 February.
There is an I-Learn page with readings and a guide to the tutorials.
Unit Schedule
| week | Topic | Tutorial | |
| 1 | Intro: the challenge of social inequality in the 21st century (21 Feb) | No classes in week 1 - see readings for that week | |
| 2 | The economics and sociology of measuring inequality (28 Feb) | Origins and significance of inequality | |
| 3 | Better or worse? Trends in global inequality (7 Mar) | Should we focus on poverty or inequality? A look at current debate | |
| 4 | Thomas Piketty on inequality: Trends and reactions (14 Mar) | Inequality and authoritarian politics | |
| 5 | Two concepts: exploitation and opportunity hoarding (21 Mar) | Precarious workers | |
| 6 |
Status and the role of hierarchical social organisation (28 Mar) |
Status anxiety | |
| 7 |
Inequality and social justice--theory, equal opportunity & affirmative action (4 Apr) Mid semester break follows |
How does work reinforce gender inequalities? | |
| 8 | Inequality and the labour market (25 Apr) | How does social class shape life chances & Australian society? | |
| 9 | Building blocks of mobility: secure work, housing and education (2 May) | Battle of the generations | |
| 10 | Inequality and the politics of identity (9 May) | A look at contemporary social movements focused on inequality | |
| 11 | Inequality and backlash movements (16 May) | The 'Trump electorate' in the US. Social and electoral trends in Australia (analysis of the 2022 federal election) | |
| 12 | Social futures: AI, automation and the basic income (23 May) | Basic income trials around the world, the Jobs Guarantee | |
| 13 | Unit revision and extensions (30 May) | Revision tutorial ahead of final exam |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
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- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
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Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
New content on the conservative defence of social inequality and hierarchy (Scruton) and an analysis of the 2022 election results from an inequality perspective.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 20/02/2023 | Updated tutorial content |
Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook