IFCO 5035 - Social Inequality Across the Life Course

Studying how social inequality develops over the life course has been a core concern in the social sciences. This course offers an introduction to the key concepts, explanations, methodological approaches, and empirical evidence related to how social inequalities arise and are reinforced over the course of peoples' lives, with an emphasis on the early life course from birth to adulthood. It also examines how these processes relate to important institutional structures (such as the education system), and how public policies may advance equality of opportunity in contemporary societies. Social inequality constitutes a key societal challenge in the 21st century. Following a long period of declining income and wealth inequality in the middle of the 20th century, inequality has again been rising in many societies during the past four decades. At the same time, peoples' social background, gender, and ethnicity continue to shape important outcomes at different life stages. Both rising social inequality, and the persistent inequality of opportunity are at odds with egalitarian values and the idea of fairness in society. In fact, the dissonance between the idea of social fairness and the realities of stark social inequality and inequality of opportunity is likely contributing to the growing political discontent in contemporary societies and the large amount of public attention to issues of social inequality and social (im)mobility. Understanding social inequality and how it develops across peoples' lives therefore forms an important part of being an informed citizen in today's world. The course aims to foster students' ability to think like a social scientist and to develop an understanding of how social inequality develops over the life course and is reproduced across generations. It seeks to equip students with the conceptual tools and substantive knowledge to critically engage in important debates and to address key societal challenges related to social inequality and inequality of opportunity.

Bastian BETTHAEUSER,Vanessa WITTEMANN

Cours magistral seul

English

This is an introductory course.

Spring 2025-2026

The final grade will consist of a midterm exam (50%) and a final exam (50%).