Place and Inequality: A Geographic Comparison of Resources and Poverty Study

Abstract

This self-directed research activity introduces students to the relationship between place, resource access, and inequality through comparison of urban and rural communities in different regions in the United States. The activity—which is designed for courses such as Intro to Sociology, Social Stratification, Sociology of Poverty, and Social...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Rural Sociology, Stratification/Mobility

Resource Type(s):

Assignment, Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

Ideal class size: This activity can be performed with anywhere from two students to a mid-sized class (around twenty-five students). For larger groups, students could be assigned specific roles to facilitate participation and distribute the workload evenly among group members.

Prior learning: Students should learn about inequality and...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will understand social inequalities as they relate to place.
2. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of inequalities as they relate to place though developing inferences related to their place-specific findings.
3. Students will access and use Google Maps and Census websites as resources for place
   information.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students will fill out worksheets with information about place characteristics.
2. Students will write a brief report on their findings and inferences.
3. Students will relate their findings and inferences to course readings/content.
4. Students will participate in a group discussion on place and inequality during which they present and compare their findings/inferences.