Unit 7: Education

SociologyMr. Nicholas

Social Institutions

Family Economy

Politics Education

Religion Mass Media

The Sociology of Education

• Education– System that ensures the

transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next.

• Schooling– Instruction by specially

trained teachers who follow officially recognized policies

Sociological Perspectives

• Functionalist – The world is a set of interrelated parts that work

together to produce a stable society• Conflict – Interested in power struggles

• Symbolic Interaction – Focuses on how individuals interact with one

another through the use of symbols and language

The Functionalist Perspective on Education

• Functionalists believe that education works to maintain the stability and smooth operation of society. – The most important of these functions include• Teaching the knowledge and skills• The transmission of culture• Social integration• Occupation placement

The Functionalist Perspective on Education

• Core Curriculum– The subjects comprising a course of study in

school• Cultural transmission– A process by which schools pass a society’s core

values from one generation to the next.• Children learn social norms, values, and beliefs• Teach students patriotism, loyalty, and socially

accepted forms of behavior

The Conflict Perspective on Education

• The educational system serves to limit the potential of certain individuals and groups to gain power and social rewards. – They point to two factors as evidence:• Social Control • Tracking

The Conflict Perspective on Education

• Social Control– Control serves to produce unquestioning citizens

who accept the basic inequalities of the social system

• Hidden Curriculum – The school’s transmission of cultural goals that are

not openly acknowledged – Teaching a set of values that center on obedience

to authority

The Conflict Perspective on Education

• Tracking– Involves different types of educational programs

based on test scores and behavior– Conflict theorists view this as a way for the

wealthy and powerful to maintain their position in society.

Review Sociological Perspective

View of Education

Functionalist Schools help maintain the stability and smooth operation of society

Conflict The education system serves to limit the potential of certain people and groups to gain power and social rewards

Interactionist Students’ educational achievements and successes are shaped in part by student-teacher interactions

Issues in American Education

• Educational Reform – To address a decline in the level of the quality of education

• Educational alternatives – Provides school choice through vouchers, charter schools,

and options such as homeschooling• Violence in the Schools

– Has led to the use of security measures, zero-tolerance policies, and conflict-resolution programs

• Bilingual Education – Controversial, particularly in states with many Hispanics; has

led to “English Only” movement

The Sociology of Religion

• Throughout every time period and in every place humankind has lived, human beings have searched for answers to two basic questions. . .

• Why do we live?

• Why do we die?

The Sociology of Religion

• Sacred – Anything that is considered to

be part of the supernatural world and that inspires awe, respect, and reverence.

• Profane– Anything considered to be part

of the ordinary world.

The Sociology of Religion

• Religion– A system of roles and norms that is organized

around the sacred realm and that binds people together in social groups.

The Sociology of Religion

• Sociology and Religion– Religion is a social creation– Things that are sacred in one society may be

profane in another– Religion is based on faith rather than science

The Functions of Religion• Social Cohesion

– Religion creates a sense of community and belonging which makes people feel less alone in the world.

• Social Control– It encourages conformity to the norms of society, and provides a

standard by which to be judged by other people. – This may limit freedom of innovation, thought, and social reform.

• Emotional Support– Helps people endure disappointment and suffering, and

attempts to provide answers to questions about life and death.– May encourage people to accept their social conditions because

rewards await them in the afterlife.

The Nature of Religion

• All religions share the same basic elements– Rituals and Symbols – Belief Systems – Organizational Structures

Rituals and Symbols

• Ritual – an established pattern of behavior through which a

group of believers experiences the sacred. – For example, baptisms, weddings, and funerals.

Also, prayer meetings, worship services, and religious feasts and holidays.

• Symbols – Particular clothing, herbs, chalices, crosses, books,

and others are often used to emphasize the sacred character of rituals.

Belief Systems Animism: Spirits active in influencing human life but not worshiped. Rituals thank or win spirits’ good will.

Shamanism: Spirits communicate with one person (shaman). Shamans can heal sick, predict the future.

Totemism: Kinship between humans and animals/natural objects—totems.

Theism: Belief in god or gods. God is divine power worthy of worship.

Monotheism: Belief in one god; Judaism, Islam, Christianity; Has organized structure, priesthood, ritualsPolytheism: Multiple gods; Hinduism; usually one powerful god and lesser gods.

Ethicalism: Based on a set of moral principles with sacred quality

Involve meditation and purity of thought and action; Buddhism, Confucianism

Organizational Structures• Ecclesia

– Most people in the society are members by birth– State-controlled and operated– No tolerance for others religions

• Denomination– A large portion of the population are members. – Tolerant of other beliefs

• Sect– A small group that has split from a larger denomination

because of differences in beliefs • Cult

– A new religion whose beliefs differ greatly from the norm– Their beliefs are often based on the revelations of a cult leader