Marxism and Education

MARXISM & EDUCATION:

Name 4 Marxist sociologists?

What does Althusser believe the role of education is?

Note-ideological state apparatus (ISA):

is an institution that uses cultural means and persuasion (like education, religion, or media) to spread the dominant ideology of the ruling class. Unlike repressive state apparatuses that use force, ISAs work by shaping beliefs and values, making people accept the existing social order voluntarily.

1. Althusser,Bowles and Gintis, Willis, Bourdeiu

• Education is an Ideological State Apparatus

• Teaches obedience and acceptance of capitalism

• Makes inequality seem normal (false class consciousness)

(Functionalists would argue that teaching obedience is necessary or otherwise, young individuals would grow up following their own rules and the society would fail due to lack of social solidarity)

What do Bowles and Gintis believe the role of education is?

Bowles & Gintis

• Schools reflect the workplace through the hidden curriculum (correspondence principle)

• Hidden curriculum teaches hierarchy and discipline e.g. Following orders from teachers and work superiors.

• Trains working-class students to accept subordinate roles(working under people) -Meritocracy is a myth

(Functionalists would argue that teaching shared values such as following rules is necessary to prepare students to understand the working environment and not be overwhelmed by a new setting)

What does Willis say about education?

Willis

• Working-class “lads” reject school values

• Their resistance leads them into working-class jobs

• Inequality is reproduced despite resistance

(schools force conformity by making it hard to succeed in life without complying to the rules and system of education→Provides an obedient workforce)

(Functionalists would argue this view is deterministic(everything is predetermined) and doesn’t take into consideration individualism-self reliance and free will)

What does Bourdieu say about education?

Bourdieu

• Middle-class pupils have cultural capital

• Schools value middle-class language and behaviour

• Working class experience symbolic violence