Module 4: Economic Inequality
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module, students will be able to:
- Understand the scope and social patterns of poverty.
- Explore various sociological views on poverty, including functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionism.
- Examine the consequences of poverty on family dynamics, health, education, housing, and crime.
- Analyze disparities in elementary and secondary education, including school segregation.
- Explore how job loss, declining labor unions, and unemployment impact economic inequality.
- Evaluate corporate and economic policies’ impact on economic inequality.
KEY TERMS & CONCEPTS
Define and offer real-world illustrations of the fundamental terms and concepts as you read the module to encourage active participation and learning.
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INTRODUCTION
Economic inequality refers to the uneven distribution of income and opportunity among different groups in society. It can be measured through income inequality, which is the extent to which income is distributed unevenly in a group of people, and wealth inequality, which refers to the unequal distribution of assets in a group of people. This disparity can lead to various social and health problems and lower rates of social cohesion. This module will explore economic inequalities, examining differences in income, wealth, education, and occupation.
