HS 314F — Race and Stratification in the US Economy

Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.

This half-semester seminar course explores the role of public policies, private practices, and historical factors in contributing to and ameliorating racial disparities in economic outcomes. The primary framework for the course is stratification economics, an empirically grounded approach to study disparities across the lines of race, ethnicity, gender, class, caste, sexuality, religion, nationality, and other social markers. This framework also incorporates the importance of social hierarchies and structures in shaping economic outcomes. Using this framework we will discuss findings from empirical research on race and stratification in the US economy that focuses on disparities in labor market outcomes, wealth and asset accumulation, incarceration, and education and training. Students will also have an opportunity to explore other areas of disparities in economic outcomes in written work that is not otherwise covered in the class. Usually offered every year.

Lisa Lynch