Synopses & Reviews
Understanding Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality: A Conceptual Framework, Second Edition, is the only text that develops a theoretical framework for the analysis of intersectionality. Weber argues that these social systems are historically and geographically contextual power relationships that are simultaneously expressed and experienced at both the macro level of social institutions and the micro level of individual lives and small groups. This is also the only text that teaches students how to apply the theory to their own analyses.
Originally published in its first edition as two separate books, the second edition integrates the main text and the case studies into one volume. As in the previous edition, Weber uses education as an extended example to show students how to conduct a race, class, gender, and sexuality analysis. With completely updated data, this edition adds important new research in sexuality, globalization, and education. It also features new case studies, including one on Hurricane Katrina and another on the 2008 Presidential election.
Understanding Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality: A Conceptual Framework, Second Edition, can be used in a variety of courses: in social inequality, communication, women's and gender studies, ethnic studies, American studies, sociology, political science, human services, and public health.
Review
"Weber is unwavering in her commitment to documenting the intersection of these constructs and she succeeds where others have not. The five themes are invaluable teaching tools and the case studies make for useful discussions in class. The text fills a void in the academic literature. It accomplishes what we, as instructors, all give voice to but are rarely able to achieve--a comprehensive analysis of the intersection of race, class, gender, and sexuality."--Melissa Bonstead-Bruns, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
"Exhaustively researched and lucidly written, this book is a model of intersectional scholarship. Weber brings to life the simultaneous workings of race, class, gender, and sexuality. She goes even further by providing students and professors the tools they need to connect systems of power and inequality. For years I have adopted the first edition of this unique and persuasive book. I would not want to teach my structural inequality course without this text." --Maxine Baca Zinn, Michigan State University
"The text is very accessible and clearly presented. Students can really learn how to develop a lens for an intersectional analysis. Focusing on education as a realm for exploration for students is great, since my students have little experience with another formal institution."--Elizabeth Higginbotham, University of Delaware
Table of Contents
PrefaceAbout the Author
Introduction
SECTION I: LAYING THE FOUNDATION
Chapter 1. Defining Contested Concepts
Chapter 2. A Historical Timeline of Indicators of Oppression
SECTION II: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK--FIVE THEMES
Chapter 3. The Story of Margaret Welch: A Case Study
Chapter 4. Themes: Historically and Geographically Contextual, Socially Constructed, Power Relations
Chapter 5. Themes: Macro and Micro Levels, Simultaneous Expression
SECTION III: A RACE, CLASS, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY ANALYSIS OF EDUCATION
Chapter 6. A Case Study: Theo Wilson and Lynn Johnson
Chapter 7. Education and the American Dream
Chapter 8. Themes: Historically and Geographically Contextual, Socially Constructed
Chapter 9. Themes: Macro and Micro Level Power Relations, Simultaneously Expressed
Chapter 10. Envisioning Social Justice
SECTION IV: CASE STUDIES: APPLYING THE FRAMEWORK
Case Study 1. Steinem and Walker: Clinton and Obama, Gloria Steinem and Alice Walker
Case Study 2. The Valenzuela Family, Leo R. Chavez
Case Study 3. "It's Like We Never Been Born": Rebirth on the Mississippi Gulf Coast After Hurricane Katrina, Lynn Weber and Sharon Hanshaw
Case Study 4. Getting Off On Feminism, Jason Schultz
Websites
Appendix: Historical Timeline References
References
Permission Acknowledgments
Index