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WiSe 23/24: Mapping inequalities across the life course

Heike Solga & Carla Hornberg

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The seminar “Mapping inequalities though the life course” aims to reveal potential changes in the importance of different sources of inequality over the life course. In particular, we will explore the dynamic role of individual and contextual factors for shaping labor market attainment and subjective well-being across three key stages of working life: (1) school-to-work transition, (2) mid-career trajectories, and (3) labor market exits. Based on our insights, we will construct a “map” of key factors contributing to inequalities in labor market attainment and life satisfaction over the life course throughout the seminar. This seminar will be conducted through weekly sessions dedicated to in-depth discussions of carefully selected readings to familiarize participants with key concepts, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches in social inequality research. Based on the discussions, participants will enhance their scholarly and methodological skills and develop a nuanced understanding of diverse conceptualizations of social inequality. It is therefore crucial that students come prepared by completing and thoroughly reading the assigned materials before each session. As the studies discussed are quantitative studies, an advanced knowledge in statistical methods is required.

“Active participation” requires, first, that the participants complete the reading for each session and participate in the discussion and group work and, second, that each student submits an “open research question” (motivated and justified on one page) during the semester. For the final paper, students will be required to design a research project focusing on a topic within the field of social inequality from a comparative and/or life-course perspective. close