I'm not sure that "Classism" has made it into common usage as yet. In fact, I'm not sure that it ever will. The coinage follows racism and sexism so who knows, as persons become more conscious of conflicts caused as much by class as race or gender it may become as common as the words it imitates are. No matter, the Classism website is an interesting place to spend some time, and for the beginning introduction I'm suggesting you visit the blog. You'll get there by clicking on the image above.
Browse through some of the articles and find one interesting to you. Some are much shorter than others. While I'm not setting a page limit, please don't look for the shortest one because it is the shortest one. Reflect on it in your journal, and what it may suggest about some of the difficulties of cross-class relationships, and whetever else tickles your fancy.
For Monday,October 29
Next week may be a strange week. I'm looking out at a gorgeous blue sky as I type thisk and then I'm hearing or reading about "Frankenstorm" which may (or may not) hit us next week. Well, that's New England for you. I'm preparing the syllabus with at least some expectation that it will need modification. We'll all keep our eyes and ears tuned, won't we? Update: Yep, a strange week. We'll reorganize after Wednesday's class, depending on how much reading you folks got finished.
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 Wednesday, October 31
For Friday, November 2 New Status Markers
Download and read, from the New York Times Class Matters Series or read in your book.
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 we'll see more". Here's our chance to look at the issue in more detail. You may want to go back and visit the blog. at Born Rich. I found this infrared couch on the Blog Born rich last time I taught this course. It seems to have disappeared from the front pages anyhow. But you can find some other goodies by clicking on the image.
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 tomorrow's 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.
Thanks to Muath Alnafisi for pointing this out to me. As you watch it, I'd like to have you keep track of your reactions (emotional, intellectual, whatever) to the scenes and to the people to whom you're introduced.
