College in Context: The Sociology of Higher Education

Catalog description

This course is designed for students who want to better understand elite higher education and how inequalities are both perpetuated and mediated by its structure and practices (focusing on gender, race, and first generation college students). Social scientists define “elite” as the high end of a distribution of resources, social influence, and prestige. This course will prepare students for their own undergraduate study at Cornell, using research and reflection. The course draws from research in education, sociology, and gender studies. While it is designed for undergraduates, with a notable utility for first-year students, anyone is welcome!