Social stratification is defined as a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. There are four fundamental principles of stratification:

1,  Social stratification is a characteristic of society 

2.  Social stratification persists over generations

3.  Social stratification is universal but variable it changes

4.  Social Stratification is patterned social inequality

YOUR RESPONSE SHOULD PROVIDE A THOROUGH DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

Compare and Contrast the class and caste systems

The caste system is a class structure that is determined by birth. Loosely, it means that in some societies, if your parents are poor, you're going to be poor as well. This is just one example (Macionis, 2013, pp 275-277).

The class system refers to a society in which no one is born into a social class. Distinctions of wealth, income, education, culture, or social network might arise and would only be determined by individual experience and achievement in such a society (Macionis, 2013, pp 278-283).

WHEN COMPLETING YOUR SUBMISSION BE SURE TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE TWO SYSTEMS SHOWING BOTH HOW THEY ARE SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT.

Using your own words, write a short summary of each of the following theories on Stratification. Davis and Moore, Karl Marx, Max Weber 

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore believed that stratification serves an important function in society.

Karl Marx based his conflict theory on the idea that modern society has only two classes of people: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Karl Marx based his conflict theory on the idea that modern society has only two classes of people: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

PLEASE PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF EACH OF THE THEORIES USING YOUR OWN WORDS, BUT PLEASE DO UTILIZE YOUR TEXTBOOK TO BACK UP YOUR RESPONSES.

Describe the concept of social mobility. Include all types of social mobility discussed in the Unit.

YOUR RESPONSE SHOULD INCLUDE; HORIZONTAL, VERTICAL, INTERGENERATIONAL, INTRA-GENERATIONAL, AND STRUCTURAL MOBILITY.

Describe the concept of meritocracy.

Meritocracy refers to social stratification based on personal merit. A pure meritocracy would reward a person based on ability, merit, and therefore make good use of human potential. Family wealth, however, maintains some elements of caste and provides some order and stability through the family institution (Macionis, 2013, pg. 278).

List and describe the components of Gender Stratification.

Gender stratification is defined as the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege between men and women. Its components include: gender, family life, work place, education, and politics. 

AVERAGE RESPONSE IS APPROXIMATELY TWO PARAGRAPHS

Using your own words, compare and contrast the concepts matriarchy and patriarchy. Provide one example of each type of society

Matriarchy is essentially a woman-oriented society, wherein all the leadership and authority rest in the hands of women. 

Define gender. How does it differ from sex?

Sex refers to the biological distinction between males and females. In contrast, gender includes the social differences between males and females. 

PLEASE EXPAND

Provide a short summary of each of the theoretical explanations of gender stratification. Please make sure to describe all of theories discussed in Unit 3.

The structural-functional approach is a perspective in sociology that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. It asserts that our lives are guided by social structures, which are relatively stable patterns of social behavior. Social structures give shape to our lives - in families, the community, and through religious organizations (Macionis, 2013, pp. 377-378).

The symbolic interaction perspective, also called symbolic interactionism, is a major framework of sociological theory. This perspective relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction (Macionis, 2013, pp. 378- 379).

Social conflict theory is a macro-oriented paradigm in sociology that views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and social change. Key elements in this perspective are that society is structured in ways to benefit a few at the expense of the majority. Factors such as race, sex, class, and age are linked to social inequality. To a social conflict theorist, it is all about dominant group versues minority group relations (Macionis, 2013, pg. 380).

Intersectionality holds that the classical models of oppression within society, such as those based on race/ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, class, or disability do not act independently of one another. Instead, these forms of oppression interrelate creating a system of oppression that reflects the "intersection" of multiple forms of discrimination. (Macionis, 2013, pg. 381).

Provide an example of feminism. Is feminism worse or better than it was 50 years ago? Explain how it is better or worse; and explain why or why not it is better or worse.

PLEASE BE SURE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF FEMINISM.  MEANING DO NOT JUST STATE THAT WOMEN EARN LESS THAN MEN.  PROVIDE A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF A WOMAN THAT IS EARNING LESS THAN A MAN IN A CERTAIN STATUS OR POSITION.  PLEASE BACK UP YOUR RESPONSE WITH YOUR TEXTBOOK OR ONLINE RESOURCES.