Exam 1: Foundations

From "Class, Status, Party" by Max Weber Weber's notion of stratification is complex and multidimensional. Analytically distinct are three dimensions: 1) class, 2) status, and 3) party. Class is broader than, for example, the Marxian formulation and related to the general economic prospects ("life-chance opportunities") of collectivities; status refers to honorific and status considerations that can be tied to economic rewards; and party refers to similar levels of power exercised particularly in the political arena. -Which of the following does not define class for Weber?

From "Some Principles of Stratification" by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore Davis and Moore offer a classical "functional" account of stratification. In particular, stratification is viewed as functional for the overall good of society. This perspective emphasizes the functional importance of positions, not the individuals who fill them; filling them ensures that all of the jobs necessary for the sustainability of society will be performed. These roles, however, contribute to the functioning of society to different degrees and the rewards attached to them are a product of how important particular roles are. Individuals who perform these roles are seen as motivated to perform them because there is a natural tendency for the abilities and talents of the individual to find the appropriate role in a social structure. -How are positions more than individuals emphasized in Davis and Moore's formulation?

From Class Counts by Erik Olin Wright Wright lays out a typology of class that is informed by both Marx and Weber. He is particularly interested in finding a "location" for categories of individuals who are not incorporated in classic Marxian formulations, namely, employees with varying amounts of job authority and skills/expertise as well as categories of individuals not in the labor force. -How does Wright define the "underclass"?

From "Woman Versus The Indian" by Anna Julia Cooper Cooper discusses the plight of women, maintaining they are proud, significant contributors to American society and they should identify with Indians and blacks who share a similar history of oppression. -According to Cooper, how have women responded to the oppression they have experienced?

From "Class, Status, Party" by Max Weber Weber's notion of stratification is complex and multidimensional. Analytically distinct are three dimensions: 1) class, 2) status, and 3) party. Class is broader than, for example, the Marxian formulation and related to the general economic prospects ("life-chance opportunities") of collectivities; status refers to honorific and status considerations that can be tied to economic rewards; and party refers to similar levels of power exercised particularly in the political arena. -How does Weber define party as an element of stratification?

From Class Counts by Erik Olin Wright Wright lays out a typology of class that is informed by both Marx and Weber. He is particularly interested in finding a "location" for categories of individuals who are not incorporated in classic Marxian formulations, namely, employees with varying amounts of job authority and skills/expertise as well as categories of individuals not in the labor force. -Wright's concept of "exploitation" involves which of the following?

From "Some Principles of Stratification" by Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore Davis and Moore offer a classical "functional" account of stratification. In particular, stratification is viewed as functional for the overall good of society. This perspective emphasizes the functional importance of positions, not the individuals who fill them; filling them ensures that all of the jobs necessary for the sustainability of society will be performed. These roles, however, contribute to the functioning of society to different degrees and the rewards attached to them are a product of how important particular roles are. Individuals who perform these roles are seen as motivated to perform them because there is a natural tendency for the abilities and talents of the individual to find the appropriate role in a social structure. -Describe how "external conditions" contribute to any system of stratification.

From Class Counts by Erik Olin Wright Wright lays out a typology of class that is informed by both Marx and Weber. He is particularly interested in finding a "location" for categories of individuals who are not incorporated in classic Marxian formulations, namely, employees with varying amounts of job authority and skills/expertise as well as categories of individuals not in the labor force. -Why are skills/expertise an important dimension of social class?

From The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois DuBois' classic essay charts the impact of slavery as well as post-slavery treatment on the "souls" or psyche of blacks. He views both as equally pernicious and responsible for ongoing marginality and psychological turbulence. -According to DuBois, what kinds of hopes for equality were not realized for blacks after emancipation?

From "The Conservation of Races" by W.E.B. DuBois DuBois is concerned with: 1) the meaning of race in American society, and, 2) identifying how blacks can better succeed in American society. He advocates an approach that emphasizes self-reliance and the formation of separate race-based forms of social organization and institutions. -Summarize, according to DuBois, the ideals blacks should strive to attain in order to be successful in America.

From The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois DuBois' classic essay charts the impact of slavery as well as post-slavery treatment on the "souls" or psyche of blacks. He views both as equally pernicious and responsible for ongoing marginality and psychological turbulence. -According to DuBois, what has been the root of all prejudice and discrimination?

From "The Manifesto of the Communist Party" by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels This piece represents the classic exposition of the growing division between two groups--the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. These groups have antagonistic interests owing to their different positions in the economic means of production that characterizes capitalism. The authors maintain both groups become increasingly polarized from each other as the bourgeoisie progressively own and receive a greater share of economic resources. The proletariat, in contrast, view the bourgeoisie more and more as the enemy who must be opposed as the proletariat progressively experience more exploitation. -What work conditions characterize the proletariat?

From Class Counts by Erik Olin Wright Wright lays out a typology of class that is informed by both Marx and Weber. He is particularly interested in finding a "location" for categories of individuals who are not incorporated in classic Marxian formulations, namely, employees with varying amounts of job authority and skills/expertise as well as categories of individuals not in the labor force. -How is Wright's formulation of class both Marxian and Weberian?

From "Woman Versus The Indian" by Anna Julia Cooper Cooper discusses the plight of women, maintaining they are proud, significant contributors to American society and they should identify with Indians and blacks who share a similar history of oppression. -Which of the following groups has a plight that women should identify with?

From The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois DuBois' classic essay charts the impact of slavery as well as post-slavery treatment on the "souls" or psyche of blacks. He views both as equally pernicious and responsible for ongoing marginality and psychological turbulence. -What would DuBois most like to see happen to blacks?

From Class Counts by Erik Olin Wright Wright lays out a typology of class that is informed by both Marx and Weber. He is particularly interested in finding a "location" for categories of individuals who are not incorporated in classic Marxian formulations, namely, employees with varying amounts of job authority and skills/expertise as well as categories of individuals not in the labor force. -Why are those who are "exploited" rather than "oppressed" more likely to resort to violent confrontations with those in power?

From "Woman Versus The Indian" by Anna Julia Cooper Cooper discusses the plight of women, maintaining they are proud, significant contributors to American society and they should identify with Indians and blacks who share a similar history of oppression. -How does Cooper characterize the plight of Southern women?

From "The Manifesto of the Communist Party" by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels This piece represents the classic exposition of the growing division between two groups--the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. These groups have antagonistic interests owing to their different positions in the economic means of production that characterizes capitalism. The authors maintain both groups become increasingly polarized from each other as the bourgeoisie progressively own and receive a greater share of economic resources. The proletariat, in contrast, view the bourgeoisie more and more as the enemy who must be opposed as the proletariat progressively experience more exploitation. -What work conditions characterize the bourgeoisie?

From "Woman Versus The Indian" by Anna Julia Cooper Cooper discusses the plight of women, maintaining they are proud, significant contributors to American society and they should identify with Indians and blacks who share a similar history of oppression. -According to Cooper, women's plight as an oppressed group is similar to the plight of:

From "The Manifesto of the Communist Party" by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels This piece represents the classic exposition of the growing division between two groups--the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. These groups have antagonistic interests owing to their different positions in the economic means of production that characterizes capitalism. The authors maintain both groups become increasingly polarized from each other as the bourgeoisie progressively own and receive a greater share of economic resources. The proletariat, in contrast, view the bourgeoisie more and more as the enemy who must be opposed as the proletariat progressively experience more exploitation. -How do the authors define the "means of production"?