Springer Teaching Economic Inequality and Capitalism in Contemporary America

This book discusses pedagogical solutions that enable students to see how capitalist processes and economic inequalities intersect and shape our assumptions and behaviours. The contributors provide thoughtful reflections on the struggles and opportunities instructors face in teaching about these topics while competing against the invisibility of capitalist forces and prevalent social myths, such as “anyone who works hard can achieve”. This book will not only help instructors empower students to recognize economic injustice and its interaction with capitalist organization, but also develops and acts on transformative solutions. Through analysis of the classed dimensions of the current political, economics, and cultural climate, as well as presenting novel lesson plans and classroom activities, this book is of great value for college and university professors. From the Back Cover This book discusses pedagogical solutions that enable students to see how capitalist processes and economic inequalities intersect and shape our assumptions and behaviours. The contributors provide thoughtful reflections on the struggles and opportunities instructors face in teaching about these topics while competing against the invisibility of capitalist forces and prevalent social myths, such as “anyone who works hard can achieve”. This book will not only help instructors empower students to recognize economic injustice and its interaction with capitalist organization, but also develops and acts on transformative solutions. Through analysis of the classed dimensions of the current political, economics, and cultural climate, as well as presenting novel lesson plans and classroom activities, this book is of great value for college and university professors. About the Author Kristin Haltinner is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Idaho. Her research is on right-wing ideology and social movement organizations; racial formation and discourse; and social inequality. She has previously conducted research on the Tea Party Patriots and the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. Her current research projects include a grounded study of climate change skepticism and another on traumatic child birth experiences. Haltinner teaches a variety of classes on topics related to diversity and inequality including: Diversity and Stratification, Racial and Ethnic Relations, and the Sociology of Gender. Leontina Hormel is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Idaho. Her areas of research and teaching include political economy, community action research, and environmental inequalities. Currently, Leontina is working with a low-income, mobile home park residents whose experiences intersect with environmental justice and rural housing insecurity. She has conducted research with Nez Perce activists in northern Idaho, while other fieldwork has taken her to various parts of Idaho to examine community trust in science. Leontina’s courses include Global Sociology: Gender, Race, and Class Around the World; Economic (In)Justice in the United States; and Environment, Policy, and Justice.