Social Inequality and the University

Abstract

Since Pierre Bourdieu’s early work on «Reproduction», social inequality in the educational system and especially at university level was in the focus of sociological interest. On the background of Bourdieu’s capital theory this contribution poses the question of how students from different social strata accumulate economic, social and cultural capital at the university. On the basis of a student survey conducted at the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Rhone-Alps and Catalunia, a comparison is made by means of a correspondence analysis. As a result it can be shown Baden-Württenberg displays the strongest social inequalities at university level, followed by Rhone-Alps and Catalonia. While Baden-Württemberg and Rhone-Alps show the same pattern of social inequlity (a dominance of economic disparities), the connection between social strata and university system seems to be quite different in Catalonia.

Keywords

• Bourdieu
• reproduction theory
• social inequality
• university
• student survey
• comparison of european regions