Sources of Inequality

About

In this course, we will explore the concept of economic inequality and where it comes from. Our goal is to understand why inequality persists and how it shapes people’s life chances. We will review the most common explanations, starting with family background—like parents’ education, jobs, and stress levels—and how these shape child development and outcomes. We will also look at individual factors such as education and employment, and how they influence opportunities later in life. Finally, we will examine how state policies—like taxes, welfare programs, and insurance systems—can reduce or widen inequality. Along the way, we will practice thinking critically about recent research and debates, especially around the recent rise of economic inequality in high-income countries

Course leader

Roxana-Diana Burciu is a postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in Social and Political Science from Bocconi University. Her research investigates the ways in which family characteristics shape inequality across the life-course, as well as ways to reduce this inequality through social policy

Target group

This course is recommended for undergraduate and graduate students who study family demography, economics, or sociology and wish to understand how inequality is related to demographic and economic trends, as well as for students who want to pursue a career in (quantitative) research in social stratification or related fields

Course aim

Students will be able to understand how inequality takes shape in affluent societies and why it has grown in recent decades. The interdisciplinary nature of the class will allow students to connect sociological theories about inequality to demographic dynamics—such as shifting family structures— and economic changes, including employment trends, education, and policy shifts

Fee info