Studied by 15 people
What is the general Marxist view on education?
they are concerned with the way education meets the needs of the ruling class and believe that this is a bad thing
How do schools meet the needs of the ruling class? (2 ways)
-by transmitting the ruling class ideology -by preparing workers for the capitalist workplace
What did Louis Althusser argue?
that the education system is part of the ideological state apparatus, and the main role of the education system in a capitalist society is to produce an obedient, efficient labour force
What is the Ideological State Apparatus?
the social institutions that affect our ideas e.g. family, religion, media, education
In Althusser's theory, what does the Ideological State Apparatus transmit within society?
a set of beliefs and values that support capitalism and prepare workers for a capitalistic workplace (supports the Ruling Class Ideology)
What does our belief in the Ideological State Apparatus cause?
it leads to false class consciousness as we are unaware of our exploitation within the capitalist workplace
What is an example of how the agents of socialisation/social institutions brainwash us into the Ruling Class Ideology?
religion could discourage people to rebel against exploitation
What was the name of Bowel's and Gintis' book?
Schooling In Capitalist America
When was Bowels' and Gintis' book published?
1976
What did Bowels and Gintis argue?
that the main function of education is to equip workers with the right 'attitude' to work- The Correspondence Principle
What does The Correspondence Principle suggest?
that there is a close link between school and work
How does The Correspondence Principle operate within education?
through the hidden curriculum
What is the hidden curriculum?
everything we learn in school without realising e.g. how to behave
What did Bowels and Gintis suggest was the key of education?
the key was to create a docile and compliant work force that wanted to work hard as they believed they would be rewarded for this work (meritocratic idea)
What did Bowels and Gintis discover?
that the students who did well in school were the ones who conformed (did homework, were on time etc) these students were not necessarily the brightest students
What are 3 criticisms of Bowel and Gintis?
Is everything taught in school directly linked to the economy/work?
Are workers/school students really docile?
What do employers say about school graduates- are they employable?
What was the name of Paul Willis' study?
Learning to Labour
What year was this study published?
1977
Who did Paul Willis study?
a group of working-class school boys
What did Paul Willis discover in his study?
that these boys had developed a 'counter- school culture' that helped them both cope with the boredom of school, and set them up for manual work
What did Willis' study population reject?
the 'con' that working-class boys can get good grades (they rejected meritocracy)
Does Willis' study support Functionalism?
no- it challenges it as it does not follow meritocracy
Does Willis' study support Marxism?
fundamentally, it does as it shows that school prepares the working class for working class jobs
What does Pierre Bourdieu argue?
that middle class families are able to do better in the education system as the possess 4 types of 'capital'
What are the 4 types of 'capital'?
Social Economic Educational Cultural
What does Educational Capital suggest?
that all other capitals can be converted into educational capital e.g. economic capital can be converted into educational capital as the parents pay for private education in order for their children to get better grades
What does Economic Capital suggest?
that more well off families are able to provide material educational advantages for their children e.g. tutors
What does Social Capital suggest?
that middle-class families have a network of friends, colleagues, and associates that can help to get their children into the more prestigious schools, and the right work placements
What does Cultural Capital suggest?
this is the knowledge, attitudes, and values that enable middle-class' families' children to succeed in school e.g. they value homework and are more likely to make their children complete it
Define Hierarchy:
the ranking of members in social groups based on the power, influence, or dominance they have, thus some members are superior or subordinate to others
Define Fragmentation:
the absence or underdevelopment of connections between a society and the grouping of certain of its members
Define Habitus:
a concept developed by Pierre Bourdieu and refers to the norms, values, attitudes, and behaviours of a particular social group (or social class)
Define Myth of Meritocracy:
the proletariat are persuaded to believe that the rich and powerful reached their positions through their hard work and natural ability rather than because of their privileged birth because this led them to accept inequality as fair- this is untrue
Define Secular:
the process by which religious thinking, practices and institutions lose their social significance
Identify 5 ways in which school mirrors the world of work:
respecting authority respect for other pupils' opinions. punctuality aspiring to achieve having a 'work ethic'
What do Marxists claim is the role of education (2 things)
Reproduce inequalities Serves to legitimise inequalities through myth of meritocracy
How are these inequalities reproduced within schools?
e.g. through uniform, and stereotyping/labelling
How are the inequalities legitimised?
making the education system appear equal: same classrooms, same uniform etc this means that individuals come to terms with their position and don’t start a revolution
What is Bordieu’s habitus?
The dominant class has the power to impose it’s own habitus in the education system, those from middle-class backgrounds have more access, and this is called cultural capital
What are the four ways in which the Correspondence Principle happens in society?
It helps produce a subservient workforce of uncritical, passive and docile workers
Encourages an acceptance of hierarchy and authority
Motivation by external rewards e.g. promotion
Fragmentation of subjects at school
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