Students
SOCI399 – Social Inequality
2019 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Assoc Prof Shaun Wilson
Contact via Email is best
Level 2, South Wing of Australian Hearing Hub Building
11.10-12pm Fridays (email appointments also fine)
Externals Convenor, Tutor
Dr Lukas Hofstaetter
Contact via email
Level 2, South Wing of the Australian Hearing Hub Building
Externals contact point
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp at 100 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:
- 1. An advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality.
- 2. An understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality.
- 3. An ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly participation | 15% | No | weekly |
| Assignment | 30% | No | Monday 6 May at 11.55PM |
| Exam | 55% | No | End of semester |
Weekly participation
Due: weekly
Weighting: 15%
Participation has a minimum attendance requirement of 8 classes for the semester (8 or more = 5/5). This includes 8 lectures and 8 tutorials.
Participation will be assessed out of a total 10 marks based on (i) evidence of reading (ii) contributions to discussion and (iii) responses to comments and contributions of others.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. An advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality.
- 3. An ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality.
Assignment
Due: Monday 6 May at 11.55PM
Weighting: 30%
Responses to six questions about interesting readings and problems in the field of social inequality. The assignment will be 2,000 to 2,500 words in total.
The assignment questions and guidelines will be available in the latter part of March, so you will have around 5 to 6 weeks to complete it.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. An advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality.
- 3. An ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality.
Exam
Due: End of semester
Weighting: 55%
Final exam of 2 hours consisting of multiple choice responses and longer answers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 1. An advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality.
- 2. An understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality.
Delivery and Resources
Readings will be available via the SOCI399 I-Learn webpage (and shortly) a Library web-page dedicated to readings for this Unit.
Unit Schedule
| WEEK | TOPIC | TUTORIAL DISCUSSION |
| One (1 March) | Intro: the challenge of inequality in the era of Trump | No tutorial/seminar this week |
| Two (8 March) | The economics and sociology of measuring inequality | Processes of 'active discrimination' |
| Three (15 March) | Better or worse? Trends in global inequality | Does inequality actually matter? The most recent debates |
| Four (22 March) | Piketty's Capital in the 21st Century: Trends and reactions | Countries with very high inequalities |
| Five (29 March) | Two concepts: exploitation and opportunity hoarding | Precarious workers |
| Six (5 April) | Inequality and the idea of justice | Restorative justice and prisoners |
| Seven (12 April) | Equality of opportunity and debates about affirmative action | Work, the labour market and gender inequality |
| Eight (3 May) | Inequality and the labour market | Class structures of Australian society |
| Nine (10 May) | Building blocks of mobility: secure work, housing and education |
No tutorial/seminar this week Assignment due Monday 6 May |
| Ten (17 May) | Inequality and the politics of identity | Black Lives Matter and #MeToo |
| Eleven (24 May) | Inequality and the politics of retribution | One Nation and voting in Australia -- Is there a 'white backlash'? |
| Twelve (31 May) | Jobless futures: AI, automation and the basic income | Basic income trials around the world |
| Thirteen (7 June) | Can social democracy be renewed? | Unit review + study guide |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). 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
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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.
Graduate Capabilities
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- 1. An advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality.
- 2. An understanding of the technical and sociological measurement of inequality.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Exam
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- 3. An ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Exam
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- 3. An ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality.
Assessment task
- Assignment
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment task
- Weekly participation
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- 1. An advanced understanding of the foundations, generative mechanisms and multi-dimensional nature of social inequality.
- 3. An ability to interpret debates and policy, political and social-movement responses to inequality.