20 Mar Social Stratification

1. Choose one of the following to write about.  Answer the question in whichever topic you choose being as complete as possible.  This does not have to be a long submission, 1 or maybe up to 2 paragraphs will be sufficient.  Show me that you understand the concept and be scholarly (you don’t have to dazzle me with your scholarship, just be thoughtful and use proper grammar and sentence structure).  If you choose the topic of your family history, I understand that you may not know much about grandparents or great-grandparents.  If you can’t compare your grandparents to your parents, it might be better to choose option #2 or #3. You do not need sources and does not have to be more than a page

   This assignment will be due Saturday, March 26th by midnight.  This gives you plenty of time to work on it and get it done before SPRING BREAK…YAY!

   Option #1:  Track the social stratification of your family tree. Did the social standing of your parents differ from the social standing of your grandparents and great-grandparents? Are there any exogamous marriages in your history? Does your family exhibit status consistencies or inconsistencies?

   Option #2:  Analyze the Davis-Moore thesis. Do you agree with Davis and Moore? Does social stratification have an important function in society? What examples can you think of that support the thesis? What examples can you think of that refute the thesis?

   Option #3:  Consider social stratification from the symbolic interactionist perspective. How does social stratification influence the daily interactions of individuals? How do systems of class, based on factors such as prestige, power, income, and wealth, influence your own daily routines, as well as your beliefs and attitudes? Illustrate your ideas with specific examples and anecdotes from your own life and the lives of people in your community.