Guide in PDF format
Logo

Contemporary Social Structures

Code: 106179
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Contemporary History, Politics and Economics FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Sergi Vidal Torre
Email :
sergi.vidal@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Claudia Brunori

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

- Most of the subjects are taught in English. A B2 level of English of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is required, although no specific test of English proficiency level is held to access the degree. 

Objectives

The objective of the course is to familiarize the students with the main contributions of sociology on the processes of structuring contemporary social inequality. The different theoretical approaches to the structuring axes of inequality (especially  class, gender, and ethnicity) and their empirical application will be worked on. The theoretical approaches and the historical framework are basically limited to the formation of Western patriarchal capitalist societies.

Learning outcomes

  1. Write a review of a publication, documentary video or event (conference or seminar) in English adapted to the content of one or more subjects on this course.
  2. Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  3. Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  4. Analyse the different ideological readings of inequality from a comparative perspective.
  5. Compare the different theoretical focuses on social structure.
  6. Define the implications of the main sociological debates on social structure.
  7. Relate definitions and explanations of inequality with general theoretical and methodological debates.
  8. Describing and critically commenting the new approaches of demo-liberal thought.
  9. Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
  10. Collect, process and analyse information in a critical manner.

Contents

  1. Functions and dysfunctions of inequality
  2. The structure of inequality
  3. The ruling class, elites and power
  4. Poverty
  5. Social Mobility: Trends and patterns
  6. Education and reproduction
  7. Labour markets and inequality
  8. Social capital, networks and attainment
  9. Race, ethnicity and migratory origin
  10. Gender inequality
  11. The consequences of inequality
  12. The future of inequality

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Reading texts, teamwork and report writing process 87 3.48 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
Training classes and seminars 53 2.12 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
Tutorials 4 0.16 3, 4, 10

Lectures

Reading texts
Comments of texts 
Empirical analysis of social inequalities

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Individual written evidence 25% 3 0.12 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Exam 50% 1.5 0.06 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Teamwork 25% 1.5 0.06 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10

The continuous evaluation will consist of individual assignments (25%), group assignments (25%), and exams (50%). This subject does not allow a single assessment.

At the beginning of the course, a detailed guide of the activities to be carried out and the corresponding deadlines will be provided. Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.

Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 1/3 of the assessment items.

Remedial: The remedial exam is a comprehensive test that does not replace any required assignments or exercises for continuous evaluation or single evaluation. The minimum grade to be eligible for the remedial exam is 3.5. In order to be eligible for the remedial exam, the student must have been previously evaluated in at least two-thirds of the evaluation activities. The Faculty will indicate through its calendar the dates of remedial exams.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction, and other specific situations as indicated by the instructors for particular activities. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to transparently disclose the use of AI in this graded activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in partial or total penalties on the grade for the activity, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.

Bibliography

Grusky David, Katherine Weisshaar. Social stratification : class, race, and gender in sociological perspective . Fourth edition. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group; 2018.

Grusky David, Szonja Szelényi. The Inequality Reader : Contemporary and Foundational Readings in Race, Class, and Gender. Boulder, CO:Westview Press, 2011.

León Berna, Javier Carbonell, Javier Soria. La desigualdad en España. Madrid: Lengua de Trapo; 2024.

Requena Miguel, Leire Salazar, Jonas Radl. Estratificación Social. Madrid: Mc Graw Hill; 2013.

David Grusky and Katherine Weisshaar offer us a sociological perspective on social stratification, including the dimensions of class, race, and gender. The compendium consists of a comprehensive collection of over a hundred classic and contemporary articles. During the course, mandatory readings will be assigned, which will be evaluated, and additional works and resources related to the chapters of this volume will also be recommended. Both the book and online versions are available in the UAB library, providing students with convenient access to this essential resource.

Software

-

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 50 English first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 50 English first semester morning-mixed