...To explain the role of education we need to look at education through different theories, a theory is a way of looking at the world. Within Sociology there are a number of theories, these include; Functionalism, Marxism, Interactionism, Feminism and Post-modern theory. Functionalists believe that society is made up of four parts; the Economy, the family, decision making and education. They believe that each part functions for the good of the whole. French Sociologist Emile Durkheim defined the major function of education from a Functionalist view as “the transmission of society’s norms and values”, the role of education is to socialise children into these norms and values which include behaviour, discipline, respect and manners (Haralambo and Holborn, 2008). The functionalist approach argues that education has three functions, it teaches the skills needed in work whether these are general or specific skills, it socialises young people into key cultural values needed to maintain society and it allocates people to the most appropriate jobs using examinations and qualifications. Functionalists put an emphasis on positive aspects of schools such as socialisation and the learning of skills and attitudes. Schools have rules and regulations and a system of reward and punishment such as stickers for good behaviour and detention for mis-behaviour. American sociologist Parson defines education as a system that selects children into the most appropriate roles because it is “Meritocratic”...
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...functionalism to our understanding of the role of education (20 marks) Functionalists have a fairly positive view of education, however they do say that if one institution fails then the others do aswell. It is a common belief amongst functionalists that all institutions such as education help to maintain social order by performing main functions. Education in an institution that is considered an agency of social control which makes sure that norms and values are followed as they believe that by following these will prevent social issues. Functionalists Davis and Moore said that the education system was potentially involved with social inequality. They believed that education is used for selection and role allocation. They argued that social inequality was necessary in society because it meant that the most important and functional jobs were allocated to the most intellectual and skilled individuals. This view that Davis and Moore identified can be criticised because the most functional jobs don’t always get the highest pay, for example, doctors have a very functional job and benefit society, however they get paid less that people who work in the music industry. Durkheim identified that the education system performs two main functions. The first function that Durkheim identified was ‘creating and maintaining social solidarity’ which is where people are made to feel that they belong and fit in in their society. He argued that the education system helped to perform the function...
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...Theories of Education Historically, American education served both political and economic needs, which dictated the function of education. Today, sociologists and educators debate the function of education. Three main theories represent their views: the functionalist theory, the conflict theory, and the symbolic interactionist theory. The functionalist theory The functionalist theory focuses on the ways that universal education serves the needs of society. Functionalists first see education in its manifest role: conveying basic knowledge and skills to the next generation. Durkheim (the founder of functionalist theory) identified the latent role of education as one of socializing people into society's mainstream. This “moral education,” as he called it, helped form a more‐cohesive social structure by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, which echoes the historical concern of “Americanizing” immigrants. Functionalists point to other latent roles of education such as transmission of core values and social control. The core values in American education reflect those characteristics that support the political and economic systems that originally fueled education. Therefore, children in America receive rewards for following schedules, following directions, meeting deadlines, and obeying authority. The most important value permeating the American classroom is individualism—the ideology that advocates the liberty rights, or independent action, of the individual...
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...George Halifax (1660) once said “Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that have been taught.” In the simplest term education is a form of acquiring knowledge, skills, values and norms that are transferred from one generation to the next through training and teaching. Formal and informal are the two main categories of education, parents are said to be a child’s first teacher, this indicate informal education starts at home as a way of passing on the ways and expectations of society to children (socialization). Formal education usually takes place in an institution such as school, college and universities, although in The U.S.A and other developed countries it can be done at home, the tool of operation for formal education is a recognised curriculum. In Britain formal education was made accessible to the masses through the 1944 Education Act with the aim to give every pupil an equal chance to develop their ability. Previously formal education in Britain was available only to the upper and middle classes of society who could afford it. Even so there different school for each class with different ambitions: The upper classes attended Public schools that was to train them in preparation for leadership of society whiles the middle classes attended grammar schools that prepare them to manage industries. The working class receive very minimal education often run by churches (class note). It is not surprising, that the aim of education has proved to be an issue of contention...
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...Sociology revision Education School factors [Cultural:] • Labelling theory / self-fulfilling prophecy • Streaming / Banding / Setting • Class, gender, ethnic background • Formal Curriculum (middle class knowledge) • Hidden curriculum • Anti-school subcultures (Male: Willis / Female: Lees) • Language and textbooks (anti-female / black bias) • Gender relationships (teacher -pupil / pupil-pupil) • Gendered curriculum (patriarchal) • Teacher expectations, attitudes and behaviour (Nash) • Single / Dual sex schooling • Examination and skill changes (GCSE, A-level, Coursework) • Changing attitudes to / expectations of work (males and females) Functionalist approach to education Meritocracy- System where people are rewarded on the basis of ability and talent 1. Socialisation- education helps to maintain society by socializing young people into the norms and values. Durkheim argued that education was promoting individualism and that it could lead to social solidarity ( a state with of lack of shared norms) 2. Parsons suggested that educations form a bridge between the family and the wider society by socializing children to adapt a meritocratic view. 3. Davis and Moore – role allocation, Education allocates people to the most appropriate job for their talents 4. Skills provision- education teaches the skills requires by the modern industrial society. 5. Durkheim says that education passes on norms...
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...FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITI SELANGOR BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONS) TESL CPS 2313 EDUCATION SOCIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT: THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION SOCIOLOGY PREPARED BY: MOHAMAD AZHAARI SHAH BIN SULAIMAN 4123003611 IZZAT WAZZIR IMAN BIN 4123000401 PREPARED FOR: TUAN HAJI BAGHAWI SARBINI 2.1 Definition of Educational Sociology Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) who is regarded as the ‘father’ of sociology of education clearly defines sociology of education as “a systematic study sociological perspective”. This definition of sociology of education is suitable because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. It clearly states that it is important to know sociology before knowing what sociology of education is. This is because sociology is related sociology of education. The statement “sociological perspective” stresses the social context in which people live such as society. Society is a group of people who share a certain culture and a territory. Perspective is a view of the world and it is referred to as a sociological preservative or sociological imagination. Durkheim’s statement helps us to understand that sociological perspective opens a window to another world or unfamiliar world. As we look at other world or our own, sociological imagination casts another form of light on us. This in return enables us to gain a new vision of social life. In other words it helps us to find out why people do what they do like...
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...Theoretical Analysis of Narrative of Migration Hannah is a migrant from Philippines who came to UK in 1985. This analysis will review the original narrative of migration and determine the topics that will be examined in depth. In addition, the analysis will explore the historical and socio-cultural aspects of Philippine migration and the formation of Filipino diaspora in the UK. The concept of identity and the idea of homeland and hostland will be analysed in the context of diaspora community. Furthermore, this analysis will reflect on the issues related to cross-cultural transmission of values and identify the influence of diaspora communities in contemporary British society. Hannah migrated to UK together with her mother and three brothers as dependents of the father who came few years earlier for employment in London. According to available data of Philippine Embassy in London (PEL), there are approximately 250,000 Filipino migrants in the UK (PEL, 2011a). However, the original narrative lacks detailed description of the Filipino diaspora in the UK to support a conclusive definition of this community. This analysis will review all available information from the narrative and other data gathered about the history of Philippine migration to UK. The first wave of Filipino labour migration took place from 1900 to early 1940s with USA as main destination (Gonzales 1998, p.26). The second wave was from 1940s to early 1970s. After World War II, Filipino war veterans and...
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...Assess the view that the most important factor affecting differential education attainment is material factors (20 marks) Children from materially deprived homes are at a disadvantage as they may not be able to afford the resources needed for educational purposes such as Textbooks, pens/pencils, computers/technology etc, also they may not be able to afford uniform meaning that they will have to use, used, worn and shabby uniform from the lost and found which could lead to bullying. Since poverty and deprivation apply only to children from working class backgrounds in many cases, these are potential causes of differential educational achievement, lack of money for transport, school trips, technology, these make a difference between a good, healthy education and a bad, unhealthy one as these things are vital, without such things they’re education is affected and they would be most likely unrecognizably behind which could affect students grades which would most likely lead to the cycle of deprivation. In all social groups class plays a large role in attainment of children in education, for example a particular book or a particular type of researched homework may be asked from a teacher with a class of both middle and working class students, it is more probable for the middle class students to have completed it but on the other hand the working class student may not be able to afford the book or even have access to a computer to do any research needed and that therefore may lead...
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...Conceptual Framework Most research reports cast the problem statement within the context of a conceptual or theoretical framework.4 A description of this framework contributes to a research report in at least two ways because it (1) identifies research variables, and (2) clarifies relationships among the variables. Linked to the problem statement, the conceptual framework “sets the stage” for presentation of the specific research question that drives the investigation being reported. For example, the conceptual framework and research question would be different for a formative evaluation study than for a summative study, even though their variables might be similar. Scholars argue that a conceptual or theoretical framework always underlies a research study, even if the framework is not articulated.5 This may seem incongruous, because many research problems originate from practical educational or clinical activities. Questions often arise such as “I wonder why such an event did not [or did] happen?” For example, why didn't the residents' test-interpretation skills improve after they were given feedback? There are also occasions when a study is undertaken simply to report or describe an event, e.g., pass rates for women versus men on high-stakes examinations such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1. Nevertheless, it is usually possible to construct at least a brief theoretical rationale for the study. The rationale in the USMLE example may be, for...
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...Sociology can be seen as the scientific study of groups in the human society and social interactions which aims to understand social situations, which looks for repeating patterns in society. Sociology can be seen as a natural science because it consists of those disciples which apply systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses to the study of society. Sociology can be seen as one of the social sciences which had a late start; the subject of sociology fell on it way in the middle of the 1800. When the American society was in the middle of the Industrial Era. Sociology developed great recognition during this time with the great success of the French and American Revolution. The first and main contributor to sociology in the social world was Auguste Comte; his method of practice was called positivism which states that “the theory that knowledge can be acquired only through direct observation and experimentation, and not through metaphysics or theology.” Another major contributor to sociology was Herbert Spencer; he was credited in finding the Science as a field of study. Spencer came up with the idea of Social Darwinism which implies “people would gravitate to either the bottom or the top of society…the principle was termed “survival of the fittest.”” Karl Marx also played a huge part of early Sociology. Marx was a social activist who came up with the theory of class conflict, which says that; “the lower and...
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...Why Study Sociology? What is sociology? Sociology is the scientific study of human social relationships and structures. Like biologists and other natural scientists, sociologists work by sets of rules through which they evaluate the arguments and evidence generated by empirical research. This doesn't mean sociological work is either narrow or lacking in practical significance. Our techniques range from computer simulation through survey research to participant observation of urban street corner life. Styles among sociologists vary from the scientific to the humanistic, from the applied to the theoretical. Sociology involves the observation and explanation of human behavior in a wide variety of areas. In addition to the specialties of social psychology, political sociology, and mathematical sociology, which have obvious ties to other social sciences, sociologists study such things as race relations, social stratification, the family, the community, ethnic minorities, sex roles, drugs, crime, population, leisure, sport, aging, mass media, developing nations, organizational structure, communication in small groups and in dyads. Is sociology for you? If you are actively concerned about the world you live in and want to do something constructive and useful in it - whether in law, business, education, medicine, urban or rural planning, etc. sociology provides our best means for understanding how "the system" works. Whether you want to change society radically, modify it, preserve...
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...What is Sociology of Education? Posted on December 27, 2010 by Sitwe This essay will firstly define education and sociology then it will define what sociology of education is and come up with a suitable definition on sociology of education from various definitions. This suitable definition will be discussed further because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. Peter Snelson (1974) defines education as a condition of human Survival. It is the means where by one generation Transmits the wisdom, knowledge and experience Which prepares the next generation for life duties And pleasure. This definition on education helps us to act with more insight and more intelligence in molding the youth in an acceptable manner. We can give a sound academic mission to the youth by teaching them survival skills such as carpentry, pottery, basketry and other survival skills which can better their lives. Human beings not only acquire new skills but also form the society. To this effect parents and teachers should work hand in hand in order to help the youths themselves have knowledge and in coming up with relevant ways it’s a matter of assisting them. By teaching the young ones, knowledge is transmitted from one generation to the next. This simply enlightens us that education is a continuous process. The statement “sky is the limit” helps us to have a wide knowledge about all aspects of education. Education prepares individuals to do things it is their responsibility to do them. For instance...
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...1 Sociology - Presentation Transcript 1. 1.The Sociological perspective What is Sociology? Sociology is the scientific study of human society & social behavior. 2. What is Sociology? * It focuses primarily on the influence of social relationships upon people’s attitudes and behavior and on how societies are established and change. * The ultimate aim of sociology as summed up by Samuel Koenig is “ to improve man’s adjustment to life by developing objective knowledge concerning social phenomena which can be used to deal effectively with social problems.” 3. The Sociological Perspective * 1. The sociological perspective is important because it provides a different way of looking at familiar worlds. It allows us to gain a new vision of social life. * 2. This perspective stresses the broader social context of behavior by looking at individuals’ social location, employment, income, education, gender, age, and race –and by considering external influences –people’s experiences –which are internalized and become part of a person’s thinking and motivations. (cont…) 4. * We are able to see the links between what people do and the social settings that shape their behavior. * 3. The sociological perspective enables us to analyze and understand both the forces that contribute to the emergence and growth of the global village and our unique experiences in our own smaller corners of this village. 5. Subject Matter of...
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...“Examine the relationship between sociology and social policy” Social policies are the actions of governments, such as legal laws. They have a direct impact on citizens, for e.g. may provide them with services or income. Social policies are created after Sociological research identifies social problems of society, for e.g. policies put in place to help vulnerable children (adopted/abused), as they are highly likely to end up in gangs, as drug addicts or prostitutes. According to Worsley (1977) a social problem is some piece of social behaviour that calls for collective action to solve it. In turn, policies help tackle social problems e.g. increasing payment for foster/ adoptive careers to reduce vulnerable children getting involved with crime. The founding fathers of sociology believed that sociology had a central part to play in society – in reforming social institutions, solving social problems and improving human condition. Comte (1798-1857) saw sociology as a practical subject, not confined solely to universities, but being applied to wider society to gain social progress. Emile Durkheim believed sociology contributing to social policy can solve question of order in society. Sociologists such as Giddens place a great emphasis on the practicality of studying sociology. The most significant outcome of sociology is that it allows us to understand the world around us, providing us with knowledge and insights. This understanding can take the form of factual knowledge which...
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...Cultural Background Paper SOC/100: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY Cultural Background Paper January 12, 2011 Margaret Wander CULTURAL BACKGROUND The term sociology first derived from the Greek word for the study of knowledge. Sociology is a social science view of society. Sociology emerged from enlightenment thought, shortly after the French Revolution, as a positivist science of society. Its origin owed to various key movements in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of knowledge. Sociology was first coined from the French in the eighteenth century by an essayist in an unpublished manuscript. Sociology then went on to be defined with the term social physics, but that had subsequently been appropriated by others. Social research sprang from sociology, but has since gained a degree of autonomy as practitioners from other disciplines share its purpose. Similarly, social science has come to be appropriated as an umbrella term to refer to various disciplines which study society or human culture. Sociology is the study of human beings and their behavior in a social atmosphere. The term culture is defined as a way of learning through customs and traditions. African-American culture is rooted from Africa; this paper will include a synopsis of similarities and differences between the norms of my cultural background and those of the dominant American culture. As an African-American Female, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I am the fifth of eight...
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