field theory an symbolic

How does field theory think about society?

• Idea that society is a network of overconnected and interactive areas that are battling for resources and connections

  • Law, medicine, education, work, home/family, 

Habitus and taste

• Taste: acquired to differentiate among various cultural and aesthetic objects and appreciate/evaluate them differentially

  • By society, we are taught that certain tastes are more important than others

• Shaped by our habitus

• Social component: we can people by the tastes they manifest  

Social class as a field

• Soccail cals plays a strong role in shaping habits and tastes

  • Bourdieu argues that different social classes develop distinct tastes

  • Serve as markers of social identity, cultural capital and status

• Taste as a “weapon”

• Ability to know and appreciate “high” culture can be a tool for social exclusion and reproducing power structures

  • Upper class:more likely to have their tastes accepted and to use taste to their advan=tage

  • Lower class: tastes are likely marginalized 

Capital

• Habitus shapes the capital we have at our disposal: tangible and intangible resources we bring with us into the field

• Think of it like a backpack of supplies you're carrying. Having the right supplies for the field will set you up for success as you vie your position

Family, networks

Relationships

   Honors knowledge +

   Reputation             Cultural dispositions

   Qualifications

Think with an neighbor: COULD BE ESSAY 

Bourdie pays special attention to the field of education because he sees it as the primary site where you can exchange and transmit forms of capital

Can you think of examples? How can students and parents use school and education to turn economic capital into symbolic capital? Ect. 

• Internships, knowing people who can get you one, family friends 

• Parents meeting each other at PTA

• Paying to be in the sorority to know friends and possible connections, resource at your disposal

  • Not just sorority but any organization/hobby that you are paying for

  • Sports even 

  • Translate: economic into socal

• Cultural to symbolic: going through school and then graduating 

• AP classes: economic to symbolic and cultural

  • Paying to take the test 

• Buildings named after people, donating a ton of money: economic to symbolic 

Symbolic violence

• Bourdieu also sees the field of education as the primary site of “symbolic violence” in society

  • Language meanings and social systems of those in power are imposed on the rest of the population

  • Buttresses positions of power by gradient legitimacy 

Can you see examples of this from your own experience in schooling?

How accurate- or unfair is this framing of education, from your perspective?