Race and the Accumulation of Wealth
Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Dalton Conley notes that the typical Black family in America today has about one-eighth the net worth of the typical White family. He observes that, despite the Civil Rights gains of the 1960's, the gap betwe...
Race-Class Debate, The
Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Dalton Conley discusses the "race-class debate," which focuses on whether racial background or class and economic standing is more important in predicting opportunity in the United States.
Large Scale Social Change
Professor of Sociology and History Craig Calhoun discusses large scale social change, noting that the reason such change is often met with resistance is that not everyone benefits equally in the wake of massive change.
Face To Face: Power of Language, The
Gestures, facial expressions and other variations in body language can certainly play a significant role in social interaction. But it's the actual words and language that people use that often determine how those individuals relate to one another,...
Epidemic Proportions: HIV/AIDS Testing
Author and journalist Randy Shilts discusses HIV/AIDS testing, arguing that people will only be willing to take the test if they know the results won't be made public.
The Pleasure Bond: Sexual Orientation: Growing Up Different
Author and journalist Randy Shilts talks about his background and upbringing as a gay men. He states that he grew up believing there was something wrong with him, and only heard reference made to his sexual orientation in the form of jokes or dispar...
China and the Tiananmen Square Protests (Part Two)
Professor of Sociology and History Craig Calhoun tells the story of what led up to the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests in China, including the role of the media and the erosion of communist rule in various locations around the world..
Class-Based Affirmative Action:
Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Dalton Conley talks about class-based affirmative action as an alternative to the much more common, but increasingly unpopular race-based affirmative action.
Civil Rights Legislation and Equal Opportunity
Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Dalton Conley talks about Civil Rights legislation and equal opportunity in the United States. Professor Conley states that while Civil Rights legislation of the 1960's "opened the game up" and allowed Black ...
Sociology and Public Policy
Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Dalton Conley talks about the wealth gap between low asset families and those with financial resources, and discusses various public policy strategies that might narrow that gap.