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Social Inequality in a Global Age
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Social Inequality in a Global Age

Seventh Edition

Other Titles in:
Social Stratification

October 2023 | 384 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
 
Chapter 2 The Great Debate
 
Chapter 3 The Global Divide: Inequality Across Societies
 
Part II Dimensions of Inequality
 
Chapter 4 Class Privilege
 
Chapter 5 Racial and Ethnic Inequality
 
Chapter 6 Gender and Sexual Inequality
 
Chapter 7 Status Prestige
 
Chapter 8 Power and Politics
 
Part III Challenges of Inequality
 
Chapter 9 Moving Up: Education and Mobility
 
Chapter 10 Abandoned Spaces, Forgotten Places: Poverty and Place
 
Chapter 11 Reversing the Race to the Bottom: Poverty and Policy
 
Chapter 12 Challenging the System: Social Movements in a Global Age

Supplements

Key features

KEY FEATURES: 

  • Social inequalities in the United States, and how they are affected by global inequalities, are covered in vivid detail.
  • "Making Connections" and "Making a Difference" features help students make practical connections between what they're learning and the world around them.
  • Discussion of the intersection of race, class, and gender demonstrates to students the importance of social actors and social change. 
  • Graphs and tables throughout the text summarize key data about inequality.

I. Overall Book Changes

This edition retains the 12 chapters. Chapter sub-sections are revised to better organize material on political shifts, greater focus on LQBTQ issues and environment and society.

Pedagogy and Feature Sets:


Table/Figures, and/or Other Art
This edition eliminates photo essays in favor of a newer design format to make graphs and charts more readable and accessible. 

• References:
References include new works and research through early 2023.

• Overall Manuscript Length:
The manuscript text is only slightly longer, balanced by format changes.

II. Chapter-Specific Changes

Chapter 1: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 

Updated material on intersectionality in regard to race, ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality.

Chapter 2:
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes:

History of philosophy and theory extended to include current controversies over topics such as critical race theory.  


Chapter 3: 

?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 
Discussion of global inequality updated with newest UN and World Bank data, new tables, and a closer look at trends in inequality in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Updated look at rising inequality within rapidly developing nations and status of newly emerging middle classes. 

Chapter 4: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes:  
Tables and figures added and updated to include new data from US Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics and other reports on wealth, income and occupation. Analysis in text revised and updated to analyze new trends. Newer research on occupation change, wealth in the technology sector, and post-peak pandemic occupational and income change all cited and discussed.

Chapter 5: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 
Revised and updated data on the economic progress and challenges of major US racial and ethnic groups. Expanded attention given to issues in policing and the criminal justice system.

Chapter 6: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes:
Updated and new tables and charts on women’s labor force participation and changes in wages and income. Expanded coverage of LGBTQ issues and particularly recent controversies over transgender rights and participation. 

Chapter 7: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 
Looks at newer markers of status and prestige reflected in media, fashion, and social media influencers.

Chapter 8: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes:
Tables and exit interview data updated to cover the 2020 election. Expanded coverage of issues of election security and voter suppression. Considers new voting blocks, culture wars arguments, rise of alternative right candidates, more adamantly progressive candidates and changing voting coalitions. Updated coverage of corporate power and monopoly power in technology, retail, etc.

Chapter 9: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 
Examines effects of pandemic on K-12 schooling and college enrollment by gender, race, and family income. Explores new educational initiatives at the state level in regard to funding, vouchers and curriculum. Tables revised to include new data from the Dept. of Education. 
 

Chapter 10: 

?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes:
New tables, graphs and maps showed updated data on rural and urban inequality and poverty. Discusses changing demographic patterns in the US, and regions gaining investment and talent, and those largely excluded or losing workers. Updated data from US Census, Dept. of Agriculture and HUD are presented. 

Chapter 11: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 
Revised and expanded coverage of origin and impact of federal anti-poverty and worker protection programs going back to the New Deal. Updated material on Cares Act and pandemic programs. Tables and graphs on income and poverty updated to display the most recent data and trends. Examines changes in healthcare and funding during pandemic. Highlights and analyzes growing issues of housing and food insecurity, particularly in major cities. 

Chapter 12: 
?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures   
?Changes Data &Statistics    ?Changed References/Citation

Summary of Changes: 
Examination of social movements expanded and updated to include new labor struggles in retail and service sector, Black Lives Matter and newer racial issues, activism on sexuality and reproductive care, and growing interest in issues of environmental justice. 

For instructors

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