You are here

Social Inequality in a Global Age
Share
Share

Social Inequality in a Global Age

Seventh Edition

Other Titles in:
Social Stratification

September 2023 | 360 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Social Inequality in a Global Age provides a sociological framework for analyzing inequality within the United States in the context of global stratification and a rapidly changing world economy. With insightful analysis, and using examples drawn straight from today's headlines, Scott Sernau explores the multiple dimensions of inequality—class privilege, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, status and power—and how they intersect with each other. As it explores each dimension of inequality, the text analyzes the relationship between changing global power structures and growing inequalities within societies. Throughout, a focus on social action and community engagement encourages students to become involved, active learners in the classroom and engaged citizens in their communities.

 
Part I Roots of Inequality
 
Chapter 1 The Gordian Knot of Race, Class, and Gender
Dimensions of an Unequal World

 
Intersections of Race, Class, and Gender in the United States

 
The Development of Inequality: Race, Class, and Gender Across Societies

 
A Social Network Understanding of Inequality

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
 
Chapter 2 The Great Debate
The Historical Debate

 
The Sociological Debate

 
Max Weber and Life Chances

 
Reframing the Debate

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
 
Chapter 3 The Global Divide: Inequality Across Societies
Worlds Coming Apart and Coming Together

 
The Double Divide

 
The Gap Within Nations

 
The Global Debate

 
Globalization: The Ties That Bind

 
Immigration: Seeking to Cross the Divide

 
The Market Paradox

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 
 
Part II Dimensions of Inequality
 
Chapter 4 Class Privilege
Wealth and Property

 
Occupation

 
Income

 
Class Structure

 
Growing Inequality

 
Death and Taxes: Redirecting Wealth and Income

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
 
Chapter 5 Racial and Ethnic Inequality
A Debt Unpaid: Internal Colonialism

 
Middleman Minorities and Ethnic Solidarity

 
The Analytic Debate: Cultures and Structures of Poverty

 
Colorful Language

 
The Color of Justice

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 
 
Chapter 6 Gender and Sexual Inequality
When Men Were Men

 
From Glass Slippers to Glass Ceilings

 
Work and Family: The Double Burden and the Second Shift

 
Gender and Class Around the World

 
Changing Norms on Gender and Sexuality

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 
LGBTQ+ Rights

 
 
Chapter 7 Status Prestige
The Quest for Honor

 
Socialization: Acquiring Marks of Distinction

 
Association: Whom You Know

 
Lifestyles of the Rich and the Destitute

 
Tastes in Transition

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
 
Chapter 8 Power and Politics
People Power and Powerful People

 
Who Rules? The Power Elite Debate

 
Changing the Rules: Campaign Finance Reform

 
Global Power: Who Really Rules?

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 
 
Part III Challenges of Inequality
 
Chapter 9 Moving Up: Education and Mobility
Getting Ahead

 
Education: Opening Doors, Opening Minds

 
Ladders With Broken Rungs

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Educational Systems

 
Making a Difference

 
 
Chapter 10 Abandoned Spaces, Forgotten Places: Poverty and Place
Urban Poverty: Abandoned Spaces

 
The Making and Unmaking of the Postindustrial City

 
Brain-Gain and Brain-Drain Cities

 
Suburban Poverty: The Urban Fringe

 
Rural Poverty: Forgotten Places

 
Poverty in the Global Ghetto

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 
 
Chapter 11 Reversing the Race to the Bottom: Poverty and Policy
From Welfare to Work

 
The Challenge of the Margins: Antipoverty Programs

 
Health Care Reform

 
Extreme Poverty: Homelessness and Hunger

 
Poverty Programs Among Advanced Industrial Nations

 
The Private World of Poverty

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 
 
Chapter 12 Challenging the System: Social Movements in a Global Age
The Enduring Struggle: The Labor Movement

 
Gender and Power: The Women’s Movement

 
Respect and Rights: Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Equal Access

 
Race and Power: The Civil Rights Movement

 
The Happiest Places on Earth

 
One World After All

 
Key Points

 
For Review and Discussion

 
Making Connections

 
Making a Difference

 

Supplements

Sample Materials & Chapters

Ch01_Roots of Inequality

Ch02_The Great Debate


Catalyst ad _ Banner _ All territories

Mint green banner with text: 'Available in Sage Catalyst: the ultimate social science textbook collection. Find out more here.' in navy blue

For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option