Education system and social inequality

In this course we have focused on the shift from egalitarian and inclusive societies to ones where
there is greater inequality and exclusion. In advanced capitalist societies like our own, social
inequality has increased in all institutions. For your research paper choose ONE of the following
institutions: 1) Education, 2) Media, 3) Healthcare, 4) Justice, 5) Economy, and discuss two
examples of how social inequality operates in that institution. In your discussion be sure to note
which groups in our society are most impacted and how. Next, use a sociological analysis to
discuss what can be done to reduce social inequality in this institution. Papers must be a
minimum of 1500 words and not exceed 2000 words. This excludes the title page and works
cited page.
While you can use the textbook you must expand your knowledge beyond the course material by
drawing on at least five scholarly/academic SOCIOLOGICAL sources (i.e., peer reviewed
sociological journal articles, books) outside of the textbook. I discourage the use of websites in
an academic paper, however, if you do use a website be selective and ensure the scholarly rigor
and trustworthiness of the source. Whether you use website references or not, every essay must
also contain journal articles and/or books
Please note that references that are NOT scholarly sources and will NOT count in your
bibliography as scholarly sources include the following:
 newspaper articles (i.e., The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, The Globe and
Mail, The National Post, etc.)
 magazine articles (Maclean’s, Newsweek, The Economist, etc.)
 encyclopedia references (including Wikipedia)
 dictionary references (including Oxford Dictionary and other dictionaries)
 non-scholarly websites, blogs, etc.
Students should also note that government websites and statistical data are NOT scholarly
sources and will NOT count as one of the five scholarly sources required for this paper.
Government websites and statistical data provide information that is NOT scholarly and NOT
analytical. Statistics denote a social trend but can be interpreted in numerous and contradictory
ways. Statistics themselves are devoid of analysis. Simply stating a statistic does not explain or
explore any critical sociological analysis. Similarly, government websites state government
policy that is devoid of analysis, and usually reproduces mainstream stereotypes, assumptions
and misconceptions. Critical sociological analysis provides a critique of mainstream stereotypes
and assumptions. The use of government data requires critical sociological analysis. Please note
that these government websites and statistics include, but are not limited to the following

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