Examines social inequality from a perspective that takes the global system as the unit of analysis. Topics include: globalization, theories and methods for studying global inequality; spatial inequality, and structures and processes in the generation and persistence of inequalities.

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.

4

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

Upper division only

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
ROBINSON W I
William Robinson
3.4
140 reviews
AI predicted, based on past grading trends of the course and instructor, class info, and 127 other factors
Winter 2026 . Robinson W I Fisher R J Danipour R
HFH 1104
T
17:00 PM - 19:50 PM
See All
SOC 122GI Robinson W I Winter 2025 Total: 156
SOC 122GI Robinson W I Fall 2023 Total: 159
See All
140
3.4
122GI . Robinson W I 8 Days Ago

Difficult, but professor is very knowledgeable and you have many chances to learn very pivotal global topics. Maybe it's useful being assigned so much work, you start to handle the stress and time management better. Lectures can feel like public speaking which kinda drags on.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
122GI . Robinson W I 19 Days Ago

Passionate, extremely knowledgeable professor who values intellectual discourse. People complaining "political bias" just do not want their views (or ego) challenged at all by a highly distinguished professor with decades of research expertise. There's weekly essays, but many free extra credit points added automatically. Easy, eye-opening class.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
SOC122GI . Robinson W I 19 Days Ago

He is not a very nice guy. His opinions are STRONG and welcomes those who challenge it... or so he says. Any disagreement will be met with a short fuse and very little respect. I would reccomend staying clear. There is a reason his class doesn't fill, even with how easy it is.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
122GI . Robinson W I 1 Year, 12 Days Ago

Best professor I have ever had. I have taken 3 of his classes and enjoyed all of them. He is extremely knowledgeable and clearly cares for his students. His assignments are very straightforward, weekly reading assignments, no tests, and a lot of reading, however I have always enjoyed the readings. Lots of theory and analysis but amazing class!!

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
SOC122GI . Robinson W I 1 Year, 14 Days Ago

One of the most engaging classes I've taken. It's definitely a heavy class, around 80-200 pages of reading and a 1000 word reflection a week. However, I really love Robinson's approach to the class, he encourages questions at all times and loves it when you challenge his ideas. Can be a truly transformative class, I'd recommend.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
122GI . Robinson W I 1 Year, 26 Days Ago

Weekly essay due at 10pm. lectures were long and boring, he did seem to care very deeply about what he teaches. Wishy-washy with being accessible outside of class, would often no-show his office hours. Makes you buy multiple of his own books which were impossible to find online, relatively cheap but everything adds up. would only take if mandatory.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
See all 140 reviews
SOC 121LS
88 / 90 Enrolled
The Power of Language in Society
Fernando Lopez-Alves 3.9
M W
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
SOC 124
88 / 90 Enrolled
Sociology of Immigration
Erika Arenas-Velazquez 2.2
M W
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
SOC 125P
80 / 80 Full
Sociology of Privilege
Tristan Bridges 4.6
T R
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
SOC 130A
87 / 90 Enrolled
Development and Social Change in Africa
Ke B Anderson 2.8
T R
12:30 PM - 13:45 PM
SOC 130SR
70 / 80 Enrolled
Sociology of Revolutions
William Robinson 3.4
T
17:00 PM - 19:50 PM
SOC 130C
91 / 90 Full
Global Carceral States
Lisa Hajjar 4.5
M W
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM