For Tuesday, November 16Education and Social Class
(But First. . .)
We got a little short-changed on discussion and reflection last week, due to the length of the DVD. We didn't get around to discussing what you found about "classism," either. So I'd like to devote the first part of the class period to that. I'll be looking over your back journal entries to pick out some of them. If you browse each others' entries, you can stop me from being the dictator.
Download and read, from the New York Times Class Matters Series. or from your book.
Both these titles link to printer-friendly pages, but you willl want to look at the materials onlin as well, to see the illustrations and view the interactive material before class. We'll probably use the slide shows in class, as well. The second is just five pages long. We should finish if we're efficient
We've been noticing that social class is not merely a matter of economics. Gender, race, and education increase the complexity of class in the American Culture. Today's two readings will look at the role higher education plays in allowing persons to cross class boundaries. We'll also look at the opposite side of the coin: how absence of a degree may not only make it more different for a person to clime, but may also make it difficult to keep from falling out of one's social class in times of economic hardshuip.,
The Interactive Slide Shows are HERE. Watch them before class. You'll be prepared to watch them in class with questions in your mind, that way.
NOTE: You may find you now need to register for the New York Times. I did when I was preparing these notes. It's free, and takes but a minute or two, so do it.
There are a few terms you'll need to understand when you read the section on college admissions: probably chief among them, as far as class goes, is "legacy admissions".
For Thursday, November 18New Status Markers
Download and read, from the New York Times Class Matters Series.
The title links to printer-friendly pages, but you willl want to look at the materials online as well, to see the illustrations and view the interactive material before class. We'll probably use the slide show in class, as well. Don't miss the timeline. It's a hoot.
The "Joneses" in this title refers, of course, to the old saying "keeping up with the Joneses". Status markers are the things we buy, wear, or carry to visually identify our social class. We saw some of this in "People like Us" and also in "Born Rich". Here's our chance to look at the issue in more detail. You may want to go back and visit the blog. As I type this the latest entry is entitled
The Sexiest Infrared Couch Redefines the Sauna Experience.
Is it the sexiest? Judge for yourself. By clicking on the image below, you'll reach the blog. Who knows what tomorr'w goody will be?
Of course it isn't just the rich which employ status markers to show who they are. We all do. New words, such as Bling have been imported or invented to indicate what some of these are.
What are the Status Markers visible in the video above? Finian's Rainbow, one of the first integrated musicals, also had something to say about the visible signs of social class in the song, When the Idle Poor become the Idle Rich.
