Basically, this section is about understanding what stratification is, and defining what social class is. We will be looking at a number of ways of classifying people (i.e. putting them into social classes). These are

1. Marxist: how Marxists place people into two main classes, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. We will look at how Marx's ideas on the petty bourgeoisie and the reserve army of labour can also help us.
2. Weberian: how Weber came up with a more subtle system of stratification, based on
   • class
   • status and
   • party (power)
3. The Registrar-General's classification, based upon occupation
4. The O.N.S. classification, which has now superceded it
5. The simple division into middle class and working class (or non-manual and manual; or white-collar and blue-collar).

We shall also, in passing, look at various theories of stratification, such as the New Right, Radical Feminist, and Functionalists such as Davis & Moore.

As well as learning this AO1 material, we will also need to apply it to contemporary Britain, which is AO2. Which theory describes Britain best? What would Marxists and Weberians say about telephone call- centre workers? What class would we put the Beckhams in? How does status work on the Big Brother TV programme? And so on.

There is probably more sociology written about this topic than anything else. Until recently, sociologists seemed obsessed with it! You will be able to find enormous amounts in textbooks. There is so much that your main problem will be making sense out of it all, keeping the issues clear underneath all the argument and detail. Don't worry! That is why I have given you the 5 simple ways of classifying above. Keep returning to them!

In Sociology in Focus, the bits you want are:

• On Stratification in general, p. 25 - 28
• On Marx, p. 33 - 35
• On Weber, p. 35 - 37
• On Functionalism (Davis & Moore), p. 37 - 38.

1. Sociological Methods
2. Sociological Theory
3. Other substantive topics: which, in your case, could mean
   • Wealth, Poverty, & Welfare
   • Work & Leisure
   • Families & Households
   • Religion.