USA Stratified Monopoly: A Simulation Game about Social Class Stratification

Effectively teaching college students about social class stratification is a difficult challenge. Explanations for this difficulty tend to focus on the students who often react with resistance, paralysis, or rage. Sociologists have been using games and simulations as alternative methods for several decades to teach about these sensitive subjects. This article uses the game "USA Stratified Monopoly" to demonstrate social class stratification, integrating issues of individualism and social change. "USA Stratified Monopoly" is a flexible, dynamic simulation game that effectively teaches students about social class stratification. This game successfully meets its learning objectives and can be a very powerful educational tool. It is well suited for classrooms with up to 60 students and can be played successfully in 50-minute class sessions. However, teachers must be aware of the emotional risks to students before using this game. "USA Stratified Monopoly" can bring out some intense emotions and reactions from students, and it is their responsibility to safely facilitate their learning experiences. (Contains 4 tables.)