Introduction to social divisions 14
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INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL DIVISIONS Chris McMillan Differences and Resistance
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Transcript of Introduction to social divisions 14
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL DIVISIONS
Chris McMillan
Differences and Resistance
This evening
1. An introduction to social differences and divisions
2. An overview of the module
3. Dinner!
Introductory concepts
Social differences: Characteristics that allow us to distinguish between peoples
Social Divisions: ‘…a principle of social organisation resulting in a society-wide distinction between two or more logically interrelated categories of people, which are socially sanctioned as substantially different from one another in material and cultural ways’ (Payne, 2006: 348 – Social Divisions, 2nd ed).
Social differences and beyond
A social difference occurs when individuals are categorised on the basis of physical or abstract characteristics
These categories may be the basis for our social identities e.g. “I am a New Zealander” that may change depending on the context
Or they can be the basis for personal discrimination e.g. “You are such a…” and structural disadvantage e.g. unemployment
So, what is a social division?
Social divisions are distinctions between socially constructed groupings
Whilst this distinction is socially constructed, it has some permanence
As a consequence of this distinction, a social division occurs when a grouping is disadvantaged in relation to other groupings
So…
There are social structures and categories that influence the way we distinguish between people
But these differences can result in substantial disadvantages within the structural construction of society
These disadvantages are what we call social divisions
From difference to division
What social differences
distinguish you from other people?
Intersectionality
Stratification and exclusion is not simply a matter of economics
Social divisions do not exist in isolation, but interact together – we may be members of a number of different categories with varying degrees of disadvantage
The interaction between these factors is called ‘intersectionality’
From difference to division
Create a mind-map of all the social differences that might advantage or disadvantage
you
Try to link them together!
Why care about social divisions?
If society is not completely equal and people are not all the same…
…and we see that there are patterns in these inequalities and differences
Then we are interested in understanding these patterns and why they occur
This is not a question of what should be (or what could be), but what is and why
Sociological insights
Sociologists argue that individual explanations are inadequate – crime is not just caused by individuals from one particular grouping being naturally ‘bad’ or unlucky
Whilst individuals have the capacity for agency, social structures create social patterns
Structure and agency
Understanding social divisions requires a return to structure and agency
How do social structures create and manage social divisions?
What agency do individuals have to overcome these divisions?
Our questions
1. Why and how do some differences become social divisions?
2. How is social life cohesively reproduced if it is defined by differences and divisions?
3. What capacity exists for resistance, transformation and human agency?
4. What are the most effective approaches for understanding differences, divisions and resistance?
5. How do these dynamics operate in contemporary London/Britain?
Module objectives
To be more critical of the society in which we live and the social divisions it creates
To consider how our personal experiences are shaped by social divisions and, in turn, how we
shape these divisions through our behaviour
Lectures
Thursday 4-6pm in LC262
There are no seminars
You are expected to attend lectures
Lectures will be recorded on ‘Panopto’ and uploaded onto BBL
Ensure you have completed the readings beforehand
WEEK II: POVERTY, WELFARE AND UNEMPLOYMENT
WEEK III:ELITISM AND EQUALITY
WEEK IV: GENDER, SEXISM AND EQUALITY
WEEK V: RACISM AND ETHNICITY
WEEK VI: HEALTH, ILLNESS AND DISABILITY
WEEK VII: ASK WEEK
WEEK VIII:MIGRATION AND EXCLUSION
WEEK X: RELIGION, COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY
WEEK XI: PROTEST AND RESISTANCE
WEEK XII: DIVIDING THE FUTURE
Making progress
This module covers many of the same topics as the ‘Introduction to Sociology’ modules
We build on the knowledge developed last year and take a different approach to the issues
Is it important that you build on your first year knowledge and use it in lectures and assessments
What do you think is the most
influential division in Britain?
Assessments
There are two assessments for this module: A 1,000 word ‘critical literature
review’ (due before reading week – worth 30%) This assessment requires you to
identify a personal experience of a social division and use academic literature to discuss it
A 2,000 word essay (topics to be
released, due Jan 2015 – worth 70%)
What social division influences
you the most?
Readings
Reading is the basis of your learning The majority of reading will be from Payne: It is essential that you buy this book Additional readings are also suggested and are available through BBL
Contact information
Room MJ.153
Ext. 67541
Consultation and Feedback Hour: Friday 1-2pm, or by appointment
Very important information
This module examines the connections and distinctions between social differences and social divisions
We think about;
Different kind of differences and how they become divisions How they change across time and in different places
The processes through which society and personal identities tend to remain stable despite these differences
How we are affected by the reproduction of social differences and divisions
Next Week
READINGS
Jones, O. (2012) Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class (Introduction) London: Verso.
Scott, J. (2013) Class and Stratification. In Payne, G. (2013) Social Divisions (3rd Ed.), Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Platt, L. (2013) Poverty. In Payne, G. (2013) Social Divisions (3rd Ed.), Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Contact me on [email protected] if there are any issues.
