Social Inequality

  
Check this book out at AmazonThe Spirit Level
 R.Wilkinson and K.Pickett (2009) 		 
Check out this book at AmazonThe basic thesis of this book (written by two epidemiologsts) is that relative deprivation (or a variant thereof) can be empirically correlated with a very wide range of social inequalities; in other words, the "most unequal" societies also experience greater social problems than "less unequal" societies. It's an interesting, if not consistently convincing, thesis. The authors have a rather naive faith in the reliability and validity of official statistics (especially those relating to highly subjective beliefs like "happiness" and "trust") and when they use sociological concepts they tend to do so at a very basic level of understanding and interpretation. Having said this, it's a book that's worth a look because it makes some interesting observations about inequality - although probably one to borrow rather than buy (but please feel free to click the link to do your bit for making me a little less unequal).  
Check this book out at AmazonSocial Class and Stratification
 P. Saunders (1990)

Part of the "Society Now" series, this is a self- consciously "sociologically different" overview of stratification, class and inequality. In essence, the text provides a critical examination of classical theories, overviews of social inequality, social mobility and changes in the British class system. However, it is somewhat less-than-critical of New Right perspectives (Friedman, Hayek et al) and includes a contentious interpretation of the currently-fashionable "new underclass" theory. The text is clear and well written and the book displays all the virtues of this series (clear sub-headings to highlight major concepts, a good selection of activities / project ideas and the like). The perspective may not be everyone's cup of hot chocolate but, as with most things sociological, you pays your money...

 Check this book out at AmazonClass
 R.Scase (1992)

Check this book out at AmazonPart of the "Concepts in Social Science" series, this is a fairly high-level text (probably undergraduate level) containing material that could be adapted for A-level use. In particular the opening chapter on the relevance of class is clear and well-written and there is some useful empirical data on life chances scattered throughout the text. In general terms, this is probably a text that is most useful for students engaged in project work where a relatively detailed examination of class, social stratification or life chances is required.
This book is currently unavailable from Amazon...Race and Ethnicity
 D.Mason (1995)

Check this book out at AmazonPart of the very impressive "Modern Britain" series, this is trailed as a "comprehensive overview of issues for students at all levels". The text focuses on race and ethnicity as relational concepts and this involves a concise, but thorough, examination of various concepts and terms, coupled with an examination of ethnic diversity, experiences and life chances across a range of syllabus areas (work and education, for example). A-level students doing projects in this area will find this book useful for background reading.

 Check this book out at AmazonRacism
R.Miles (1989)

A small, but fairly heavy-duty, book focusing on a number of key areas related to the concepts of "race" and racism. These include a brief historical overview of "racial representations", discussion of concepts such as institutional racism, ideology and "the new racism" and a section dealing with various conceptual definitions (race, racism and the like). Interestingly, a chapter is also devoted to the interrelationship between ethnicity and class. Overall, a useful book in terms of the areas it covers, but one that is probably too demanding for an A-level audience.

 
Check this book out at Amazon Multi-Racist Britain
 P.Cohen and H.Bains (1988)

A relatively small number of readings grouped under the themes of "Problematics, Policies and Practices". The level is probably closer to undergraduate and many of the readings require careful reading. However, for students doing project work in this area, this could be a useful starting point for the generation of ideas.

 Check this book out at AmazonRace, Culture and Difference
 J.Donald / A.Rattansi (ed) (1995)

A series of readings that cover a range of topics (anti-racism, feminism, colonialism and the like) from a number of well-known writers in these areas (Gilroy, Hall and so forth). The texts are a mixture of sociological, psychological and cultural studies perspectives with a couple of autobiographical pieces thrown-in for good measure. Probably more of an undergraduate level text, although the "Feminism and Anti-racism" article raises a number of interesting debating points in a clear, well-structured, way.
Check this book out at AmazonThe International Analysis of Poverty
 P.Townsend (1993)

This is a major comparative analysis of poverty that contains Townsend's usual wealth of empirical data to support his developing ideas on the nature, extent and measurement of poverty and deprivation. Although well-written, this is probably not a book that any A-level student would read from cover-to-cover, but it is one that could be easily used (especially by teachers) to illustrate many of the major concepts in the area of poverty and inequality.

 Check this book out at AmazonEthnic Minorities
 Central Office of Information (1997)

Check this book out at AmazonA Uk government report that contains a mass of empirical data on numerous aspects of government action to combat "disadvantage" amongst ethnic groups. The report contains sections on legislation, work, education, welfare, housing, the police and the media (amongst others), as well as a list of useful addresses and further reading. Probably of most use for students doing projects in any of these areas, although the data it contains could also be used across most areas of the A-level syllabus.
Check this book out at AmazonThe Making of an English Underclass
K. Mann (1992) Check this book out at Amazon

Basically an undergraduate  level text, but it contains some bits that could be useful at A-level (for example, an interesting chapter on the "New Underclass" theories of Murray, Saunders and the like). It also provides theoretical and empirical material that could, with a bit of tinkering, be used as the background for class discussions (why, for example, do welfare policies aimed at the working class / poor "promote dependency", whereas polices that benefit the middle / upper classes "promote freedom"?).