Introduction to Sociology - Online
Reading Assignments, Lecture Notes, Videos & Web Sites

Unit 7: Poverty & Inequality: Life Chances Here and Abroad

Readings:

Macionis, Society: The Basics, chapter 8 ("Social Stratification") & chapter 9 ("Global Stratification")

“Texas Poverty 101”

Sabrina Tavernise, "Disparity in Life Spans of the Rich and the Poor Is Growing," New York Times, February 12, 2016

Barbara Ehrenreich, "Nickel and Dimed" (excerpt)

Peter Kaufman, "Exploitation at Home: Matthew Desmond’s Evicted," Everyday Sociology, June 28, 2016

Karen Sternheimer, "Evictions and the Paradox of Poverty," Everyday Sociology, July 1, 2016

"States Adding Drug Test as Hurdle for Welfare", New York Times, October 10, 2011)

"The Real Budgets of McDonald's Workers" (view the five slides)

Richard Fry & Paul Taylor, "A Rise in Wealth for the Wealthy; Declines for the Lower 93%"

“Apple Factories accused of exploiting Chinese workers,” The Observer, April 30, 2011

View these brief videos:

"How the Other Half Lives" (click to watch this)

"America's Distribution of Wealth (1955)"

 

"Wealth Inequalty in America"

 

Visit the following Web Sites:

Child Labor in America 1908-1912
Inequality.org (View "Data and Statistics")
Global Rich List

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A History of American Sweatshops, 1820 - present
Co-op America: Sweatshops: Retailer Scorecard

National Center for Children in Poverty
National Coalition for the Homeless
The Samaritan Inn
National Low-Income Housing Coalition - Out of Reach (View data for Texas)
The Hunger Site
America’s Second Harvest