Overview of Course

Social inequality is built into the structure of all societies and social processes. In this course, we will examine social statuses such as race, class, gender, and sexuality using sociological concepts and theories to better understand how these statuses affect individuals and communities. We will analyze numerous concrete examples of institutionalized inequalities, including specific patterns of inequality in each country and culture visited during the Spring 2026 Semester at Sea voyage. We’ll delve into the history of oppression and discrimination in each location, considering the immediate and lasting impact on marginalized groups. We will use our own experiences and observations in ports along with readings, discussions, and reflection to better understand the many contours of inequality: its various forms; its historical development and maintenance; and its consequences for individuals and societies. Using a comparative perspective, we’ll examine stratification based on wealth and income, gender, religion, ethnicity, race, and caste in different societies, and students will learn to locate themselves within local, national, and international contexts. Along with identifying harmful impacts of social inequality, we’ll discuss responses to inequality and efforts to mitigate its most problematic features through individual and community policies and practices.