INSTRUCTIONS: Answer all three questions, making sure each response is no longer than 2 typed pages, double spaced, in 12 point Times or Cambria font.
Number your answers and write your first and last name on each page as a header. There is no need to reproduce the question at the top of the pagethis will take up space you could use for your
answer.
It is important to use your own words to explain the different concepts and arguments you reference from authors or other materials that you cite in support of your answers. Therefore, please try
to avoid direct quotations from readings, lectures and lecture slides. No reference list is needed for this exam. If you do include any direct quotations, make sure to cite them correctly.
To complete this exam, you will need to read a few news articles. The links for these are included at the end of the prompt. If you have any trouble accessing these, please let me know ASAP.
Please turn in your exam on bCourses with all three answers combined into one document. No hard copy is needed. The deadline for turning in the exam is before class on Thurs. Sept. 22. You are
welcome to turn in your exam earlier.1. Describe how Marx and Weber explain social inequalities, comparing and contrasting their views. For each theorist, what is class, and how does it explain social inequalities? How does each
think about status, and how it relates to class? Make sure to define, in your own words, any terms that you use in your answer. Then, read the op-ed piece by Warren Buffett and the accompanying
information about him. Compare and contrast how you think Marx and Weber would respond to Buffetts call for higher taxes on the wealthy and why, drawing on your earlier arguments, and what you
know about Marx and Webers theories about political interests and how those are linked to class and/or status.
2. Define and explain what economic, cultural and, social capital are, according to Bourdieu. Then describe, in your own words, his theory about how the three forms can be exchanged, and why
someone might want to do this. Then, read the articles Cycling Matches the Pace and Pitches of Tech and Silicon Valleys Lust for High-End Bikes. Explain the first article in terms of the
theories you have discussed aboveexplaining what constitutes social and cultural capital in the articles, whether people are attempting to exchange different forms of capital, and what the
implications of that might be, using information from the second article as needed to provide support.
3. Describe what a racial project is, according to Omi and Winant, and how this concept fits into their larger theory of racial formation. Then, discuss past racial restrictions on
naturalization in the U.S., as detailed in the film Race, The Power of an Illusion, as a racial project, making sure to explain how this example fits into the different dimensions of a racial
project as described by the authors. Finally, identify something you think could be described as a racial project (and is not one of the examples in the article), describe it, and explain how it
fits into Omi & Winants definition and any political implications it may have.Links to materials needed for this exam, and copy of Buffett op-ed:1) Stop Coddling the Super-Rich, by Warren Buffett
An editorial appearing in The New York Times, Aug. 14, 2011
OUR leaders have asked for shared sacrifice. But when they did the asking, they spared me. I checked with my mega-rich friends to learn what pain they were expecting. They, too, were left
untouched. While the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaksThese and
other blessings are showered upon us by legislators in Washington who feel compelled to protect us, much as if we were spotted owls or some other endangered species. Its nice to have friends in
high places
Last year my federal tax bill the income tax I paid, as well as payroll taxes paid by me and on my behalf was $6,938,744. That sounds like a lot of money. But what I paid was only 17.4 percent
of my taxable income and thats actually a lower percentage than was paid by any of the other 20 people in our office Congress will soon take on the crucial job of rearranging our countrys
finances. Theyve been instructed to devise a plan that reduces the 10-year deficit by at least $1.5 trillion I would leave rates for 99.7 percent of taxpayers unchanged [extending a prior tax]
cut helps the poor and the middle class, who need every break they can get. But for those making more than $1 million there were 236,883 such households in 2009 I would raise rates immediately
on taxable income in excess of $1 million, including, of course, dividends and capital gains. And for those who make $10 million or more there were 8,274 in 2009 I would suggest an additional
increase in rate. My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. Its time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.About Warren Buffett (From Warren Buffett is on a Radical Track by Rana Foorhar, Time, Jan. 23, 2012
He is the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and one of the worlds richest people.
He is known for his personal frugality.
He lives in Omaha, Nebraska, in the same house that he bought in 1958 for $31,500.
He has pledged to give 99% of his fortune to philanthropic causes.
He drives his own car (a Cadillac), although he also does have a company jet called The Indefensible.
He endorsed and contributed to Barak Obamas presidential campaign.2) Cycling Matches the Pace and Pitches of Tech by Sarah Max, New York Times, Aug. 25, 2016http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/business/dealbook/cycling-matches-the-pace-and-pitches-of-tech.html
Silicon Valleys Lust For High-End Bikes by Somini Sengupta, New York Times, May 17, 2012 http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/silicon-valley-bike-scene-cycling/
3) Race, The Power of an Illusion, Episode 3, The House We Live In (this particular segment starts about 10 min. in) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na-FTVOjOoQ