IN-CLASS EXERCISES

How did the Bottle exercise reflect the US social class system.

Make 10 specific observations about what took place during the bottle exercise (e.g. observations about the relationships/actions/attitudes within classes and between classes, the bottles, the utensils, process of exercise, etc…).  Then for each observation describe the associated characteristic of the US social class system that was demonstrated by this observation, i.e. what is the observation of the US social class system that is reflected in the observation you are making of the exercise.  You may wish to refer to the chapter dealing with social class to make sure you are making a correct comment about the actual US social class system. 

Sweatshop roleplay

1. Describe 3 arguments from the point of view of your character.  Don’t forget to identify your character.

2. Describe 3 arguments from the point of view of ONE other character, a view that is in opposition to your character’s viewpoint.  Don’t forget to identify this character.

3. Complete the My Job worksheet (http://www.uniteunion.org/sweatshops/teach/curric/intro1.pdf).  Use your current job or the job you hope to have in the future.  Compare it to the one completed for a sweatshop worker (http://www.uniteunion.org/sweatshops/teach/curric/intro2.pdf)  (hand in a completed My job worksheet).  What does this tell you about yourself and your work and sweatshops. 

4. From having done this inclass exercise and the worksheet, would you say you support or oppose sweatshops? Explain. 

Bar scenario - Gender Stratification

From the bar scenario role play done in class, make 10 detailed observations of what occurred in the roleplay and provide the corresponding real life reflection of gender stratification in the U.S. that is being demonstrated in each observation of the role play. In the comment about real life, focus on institutional structures where gender stratification is found, e.g. employment, family, education, government etc..., you do not have to focus on real life situations pertaining to a "bar scenario".  E.g. Men bought the women drinks - there is a society expectation that men are to be the main breadwinners in the families, women are to stay home and/or only bring in secondary income, and thus men have more financial power.  One observation may correspond to several aspects of gender stratification, and several observations may reflect one aspect of gender stratification. 

From the roleplay exercise done in class, make a list of 10 observations of what took place in the exercise, and provide the corresponding real life reflection of current race and ethnic stratification in the U.S. that is being demonstrated in each observation of the role play.  Explain fully your observation and your reflection.  For example:  the visitors eventually withdrew and stopped interacting with the Roumeans;  this corresponds to racial enclaves that are found throughout cities in the US, e.g. Chinatown, because people of colour do not feel welcome or accepted amongst the dominant white culture since they are required to adopt aspects of the white dominant culture’s norms and values, and so they withdraw and form their own communities. 

One observation may correspond to several reflections of US race and ethnic stratification and/or several observations may reflect one aspect of race and ethnic stratification.  Do not provide simply an observation of race & ethnic relations.  Do not focus solely on races and ethnicities who are recent immigrants, but instead focus on stratification that has existed for many years and continues to exist.  Refer to textbook chapter 10 for ideas of how each observation is actually a reflection of what takes place in terms of racial/ethnic stratification in the US.

In-class exercise #5