Teaching Inequality: A College Admissions Game

• In Event: 125 - Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 04. Inequality and Change

Abstract

Teaching inequality is a challenging task. Students are often unaware of the problem or disregard it. This paper overviews a college admissions game to overcome these obstacles. It asks students to make decisions regarding admittance and denial at their school. Students are given information on a pool of applicants and then must select a subset. The information provided includes a variety of achieved and ascriptive characteristics they must consider. The game allows for a discussion of a range of topics central to stratification and inequality including causes and solutions. Given the importance of inequality in higher education and the larger society, this game provides a useful tool to explore these topics.

Author

• Robert Biggert, Assumption College