Teaching social class analysis : a classroom-based library exercise

              DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 302 455                                                         SO 019 523

AUTHOR           Perrone, Charles
TITLE                Teaching Social Class Analysis: A Classroom-Based Library Exercise.
PUB DATE          85
NOTE                 18 p.
PUB TYPE           Guides - Classroom Use - Materials (For Learner) (051) — Guides - Classroom Use - Guides (For Teachers) (052)
EDRS PRICE       MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS    Class Activities; Higher Education; Hypothesis Testing; Library Materials; Lower Class; Newspapers; Reference Materials; Research Methodology; Research Tools; Social Background; Social Class; Social Indicators; Theories; Upper Class
IDENTIFIERS       New York Times

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this exercise is to introduce college students to basic research methodology and concepts for social class in the United States and to the useful library sources and techniques to aid in the research. The underlying theory is that social classes do exist in the United States, and students can validate this theory through characteristics and behaviors found in wedding announcements. Assuming that U.S. society contains only two classes, the upper-class and the lower-class, wedding announcements reveal that a more detailed description of the bride, groom, and their immediate and extended families is reserved for those people of the upper-class. Social indicators (behavior and characteristics) include residency, education, employment, and family history which can be verified by various library reference sources. The exercise contains five hypotheses based on the social indicators and lists the corresponding library sources both of which should be provided to students. Tools required for this exercise are the society pages from "The New York Times," a local newspaper, and the score sheet provided within this lesson. Copies of sample wedding announcements and a glossary are included. (DJC)
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