The concept of class is one of the most contested concepts within sociology. Sometimes this is just a question of how the word class is being used, but behind the alternative uses of the term their often lurks deeper theoretical disagreements about how best to understand the underlying nature of economic inequality in contemporary societies. This seminar will explore in a systematic and rigorous manner the full range of alternative conceptualizations of class. The focus will be on contemporary approaches, although there will be some attention to classic statements. The course will give students an opportunity both to gain a deeper understanding of the substantive issues around the analysis of class, but also to engage in a very fine-grained manner the problem of carefully defining concepts.
Sociologists often take a quite casual attitude towards the problem of concept-formation.
While they may worry quite a bit about the theoretical arguments that link concepts together, much less attention is often paid to the abstract definitions of the concepts themselves. Readings for the course will consist of these chapters plus additional material in the principle traditions of class analysis. Written work will consist of critiques of each of the chapters in the Foundations book plus a term paper. Other Courses Taught recently Sociology 929. Other sessions will examine actual experiments that have occurred in various places.