CRG

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces students to the measurement, analysis, and economic consequences of social stratification within the market, based upon class, race, ethnicity, and gender differences. There is no pre-requisite for the course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon the successful completion of the course students should be able to:

identify the methods used to define and measure economic discrimination, based upon the categories of class, gender, ethnicity, and race;

evaluate the degree of discrimination in the labor market via standard published statistics and studies

explain mechanisms through which the market removes economic discrimination

explain mechanisms through which the market maintains or promotes economic discrimination.

REQUIREMENTS: Attendance is critical. Economics is a difficult class to learn purely by reading the text. Regular attendance will be necessary to receive assignments on a timely basis. Students who miss classes tend to produce significantly lower scores. Examinations must be taken at the scheduled time. Make-up exams will only be given under exceptional circumstances, and you must notify me before you miss the exam.

All other grade options (Pass/No Pass, Incomplete, Audit, Drop) are the responsibility of the student. Students wishing to drop the course must call Class Line. The last day to drop classes is the Friday of the 8th week of classes!

DISABILITY SERVICES: If you need academic support or services due to a documented disability you may be eligible for academic assistance through Disability Services. Contact Disability Services in the STUDENT SERVICES Building,, Bldg. #1, or call 463-5150 or TTY 463-3079.

TEXTS:

REQUIRED:

Unlevel Playing Fields: Understanding Wage Inequality and Discrimination, Second Edition.

Randy Abelda, Robert W. Drago, Steven Shulman. Economic Affairs Bureau (2004). ISBN 1-878585-47-9

Wealth and Our Commonwealth: Why Americans Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes.

William H. Gates, Sr. and Chuck Collins; Forward by Paul Volcker. Beacon Press (2003). ISBN0-8070-4719-8

COURSE OUTLINE

I.   Introduction
   1) Purpose of Course: Honorable Discussion
   2) Statement of the Problem
    3) Conceptual Framework: The Economics of Stratification
   4) Structural vs. Individual Explanations
    5) Labor Economics: Basics of Supply & Demand in the Labor Market

II.   Class
   1)   Experience of Class
   2)   Statistical Disparities
   3)   What is “class”?
    4)   Different Images of Class

III.   Race
   1)   Experience of racial discrimination
    2)   Statistical Disparities & Economic Evidence of Racial Discrimination
   3)   Models of Racial Discrimination
IV.   Ethnicity
    1)   Experience of ethnic identity and economic discrimination: What is “race”?
    2)    What is “whiteness”?
   3)   Statistical Disparities

V.   Gender
   1)    Women’s working experience:
   2)   Statistical Disparities & Economic Evidence of Gender Discrimination:
   3)    Models of Human Capital, Occupational & Earnings Differences

VI.   The Over-Determination of Stratification (Time Permitting)

Focus may vary by term:

Immigration Criteria, or
Stratification in the Katrina Disaster

1)    The Role of Class Criteria
2)    The Role of Race Criteria
3)    The Role of Ethnicity
4)    The Role ofGender

VII. Remedies
    1)    Minimum Wage, Taxation, “Welfare” & “Wealth-fare”
    2)   Affirmative Action
    3)   Diversity, Assimilation & Integration

*This syllabus may change at the discretion of the instructor.