sociology education

Durkheim two functions education provides to society

secondary socialisation and social cohesion

specialist skills(necessary in modern industrial society

What do Davis and Moore believe is a function of education

role allocation - selection of individuals for future role in society

Parsons on meritocracy

school is the focal point where particularistic values become universalistic values and ascribed status' can be developed into achieved status on the basis of meritocracy

What is Althusser's perspective on education

bourgeoise maintain dominant position in society through:

RSA: social institution that enforces dominant ideology like police

ISA: social institution that passes on dominant ideology- socialising everyone to conform - taught through hidden curiculum. reproduces and legitimises class inequality

How does Althusser argue that the ISA reproduces and legitimises class inequality

reproduce: MC teachers fail poor, alternative education for rich, values in school benefit MC

legitimises: WC believe they fail and that it is their fault

who proposes the correspondence principle

Bowles and Gintis

explain the correspondence principle

schooling is used to prepare children to work in capitalist business. hardworking, compliant, obedient workforce.
prepares through hidden curriculum

who claims there is a myth of meritocracy and who builds on it

Bowles and Gintis

Bourdieu - justifes WC failure, school caters to MC, cultural capital

Meaning of habitus

cultural set of norms, values, experiences, 'taken for granted' ways of thinking within a social group/ethnicity/age

limitations of marxist view of education

many WC do succeed

not all WC are passively accepting school rules: Paul willis

not all subjects taught in education system dismiss critical thinking and creativity

how are schools unlike a free market economy

controlled and funded by gov, same hours in education, need to pass key subjects

What new right thinkers argue that they should make school a consumer choice

Chubb and Moe

what doe Chubb and Moe argue (3)

- specialist skills do not meet current needs of economy

- private schools do better because they rely on their consumers to survive so tailor services to then

- school is not meritocratic because they enforce subjects that are not beneficial to all equally

what is Chubb and Moe solution to the issue with the education system

voucher system - each child has a voucher as form of payment
generate competition and drive up standards

what is the new right perspective on education (4)

- some are more talented than others which means all jobs will be fulfilled

- favour system with universalistic principles because it creates competition and helps economy

- should socialise children with same n+v for social solidarity

- should not be ran by gov instead should be free market

Eval for Chubb and Moe

+ schools now tailor services for students

+influenced gov policies like parental choice reform act

x would only benefit MC because they can use capital to get most desirable school

x contradiction: want parental choice but also national curriculum

Describe Paul willis' study

observed 12 WC boys. felt superior to teacher and other pupils, 'having a naff', no value to academic work
rejected school and its values
looked forward to paid manual work

what did Paul willis' study show

rebellious attitude show not all pupils are brainwashed into being passive
education system failing to produce obedient workforce

what Perspective does Paul willis belong to

neo-marxist

what 3 factors do radical fems believe about education

1- imposing moral panic about boys underachievement
2- gendered subjects reinforce stereotypes and oppress women (88% computing boys, 77% sociology girls)
3- women being sexualised in schools - low self esteem, won't go school, up skirting

what do post modernists believe the school now works to produce

skilled, creative and adaptable workforce

evidence for post modernists claims on skilled creative workforce being prouced

lifelong learning
academies and free schools have more freedom and control
distance learning
diverse schools offering variety of services

4 external factors of education

- language (animal, cognitive thinking, Hubbs et al)
- speech codes
- parents education (Feinstein - impact 3 ways, use of income, parenting style and parents educational behaviour)
- working class subculture (fatalism, present time orientation)