Taught By:
Sam Frye
Associate Professor
School of Integrative Studies
George Mason University
sfrye4@gmu.edu
Read profile here.
Course Description:
American culture is rooted in meritocracy, a system in which social goods are earned by those who work the hardest. However, the reality is that the journey up the social class ladder is fraught with obstacles, despite how hard one works. This course thus explores the social, cultural, political, and psychological implications of poverty, wealth, and inequality in the United States. In particular, we will examine the ways in which class identity informs one's views of the world and its politics; how socioeconomic status affects one's access to education and other social goods; and how dominant discourses and stereotypes related to poverty influence mass perception regarding a range of social issues from educational policy to social welfare.
