sow650 - Social Inequality (Complete module description)

Upon completing the module, students will be familiar with the central concepts of social inequality research, with a focus on gender inequalities in the labour market and in the family. In the individual courses, major theoretical concepts for distinguishing and explaining different dimensions and determinants of social inequality are elaborated, discussed and applied.
In addition, students will get to know data and methods for the quantitative analysis of gender inequalities (e.g. SOEP, pairfam).  In this way, they will understand empirical research results, develop their own research question and answer this question by analysing quantitative data in a small research project.

Appropriate assistance will be provided for students who wish to deepen their skills in academic writing in English.

The module consists of a theoretical part and a more practically oriented seminar. The main contents of inequality research in Germany and the theoretical concepts explaining social inequalities are presented and discussed in the first part of the seminar.

In the practically oriented seminar, students are introduced to central data sets and methods of quantitative research in the field. Seminar participants will develop and answer their own research questions on gender inequalities using the theoretical concepts and empirical methods learned throughout the seminar. The results of this applied research will be presented regularly during the semester and summarized in a written paper. 

Portfolio comprising:
1 presentation in one seminar and
1 individual research paper (approximately 3500 words) in the other seminar