Worksheet: "The American Dream at Groton" Sociology 2111

1. Describe Groton in terms of its programs and its student body.

2. What percentage of students get scholarships, and what does that imply about the overall composition of the student body in terms of social class?

3. Describe the experience of the Latina student featured in the video.

4. How does Groton prepare its students to be successful?

Group Project: "The American Dream at Groton." Sociology 2111

1. What values are promoted at Groton? Do you think there's a difference between the school's values and the values students actually learn as a result of their experience at Groton? If so, describe the values the students are actually learning.

2. Is the upper class in America solely a matter of income and wealth, or is there a distinct subculture or style of life that characterizes the upper class?

3. At one time Groton was clearly an upper class school; is it still? Why or why not?

4. Are there advantages for the upper class in bringing talented kids from poor and/or minority backgrounds into contact with upper class kids at a school like Groton?

5. What are the stresses this experience creates for kids from less privileged backgrounds? What are the advantages?

6. What would Karl Marx have said about this video in relation to his theories about social classes and capitalism? What might Max Weber have emphasized?