SOCIOLOGY: A Brief Introduction Richard T. Schaefer SOCIOLOGY: A Brief Introduction Sixth Edition McGraw-Hill © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

RELIGION AND EDUCATION 13 RELIGION AND EDUCATION Durkheim and the Sociological Approach to Religion World Religions The Role of Religion Religious Behavior Religious Organization Sociological Perspectives on Education Schools as Formal Organizations

Durkheim and Sociological Approach to Religion Emile Durkheim perhaps first sociologist to recognize the critical importance of religion in human societies Stressed social impact of religion Viewed religion as collective act; religion includes many forms of behavior in which people interact with others

Durkheim and Sociological Approach to Religion Defined religion as “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things” Religious faiths distinguish between events that transcend the ordinary and the everyday world: Profane: includes the ordinary and commonplace Sacred: includes elements that inspire awe, respect, and fear. People become a part of the sacred by completing some ritual

World Religions World Religions About 85% of world’s population adheres to some religion Christianity is largest single faith, the second largest is Islam Although the differences among religions are striking, they are exceeded by variations within faiths. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are monotheistic Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism developed in India. Buddhism is now primarily found in Asia.

World Religions Figure 13.1: Religions of the World

World Religions

The Role of Religion Among its manifest (open and stated) functions, religion defines the spiritual world and gives meaning to the divine. It provides an explanation for events that are difficult to understand The latent functions of religion are unintended, covert, or hidden

The Role of Religion The Integrative Function of Religion Religion offers people meaning and purpose for their lives Religion gives people certain ultimate values and ends to hold in common These values and ends help society to function as an integrated social system

The Role of Religion Religion and Social Support Through its emphasis on the divine and the supernatural, religion allows us to “do something” about calamities we face. Religion encourages us to view personal misfortunes as unimportant in broader perspective of human history

The Role of Religion Religion and Social Change The Weberian Thesis Weber argued that followers of John Calvin, a leader of the Protestant Reformation, emphasized a disciplined work ethic, this-worldly concerns, and rational orientation for life Became known as Protestant ethic. “Spirit of capitalism” has emerged as generalized cultural trait (in U.S.)

The Role of Religion Religion and Social Change Liberation Theology: Use of church in political effort to eliminate poverty, discrimination, and other forms of injustice evident in a secular society

The Role of Religion Religion and Social Control: A Conflict View Marx argued religion impeded social change by encouraging people to focus on other-worldly concerns rather than their poverty or exploitation Felt religion drugged the masses into submission by offering a consolation for their harsh lives on earth: the hope of salvation in an ideal afterlife

Religious Behavior Belief Religious beliefs: statements to which members of a particular religion adhere

Religious Behavior Ritual Experience Religious Rituals: practices required or expected of members of a faith Experience Religious Experience: feeling or perception of being in direct contact with ultimate reality or of being overcome with religious emotion

Religious Organization

Religious Organization Figure 13.2: Belief in God Worldwide

Religious Organization Ecclesiae Religious organizations claiming to include most or all members of a society and recognized as national or official religion Ecclesiae are conservative, in general, and do not challenge the leaders of a secular government.

Religious Organization Denominations Large, organized religion not officially linked with the state or government Tend to have an explicit set of beliefs, defined system of authority, and generally respected position in society Usually claim large segments of population as members

Religious Organization Sects Relatively small religious group that have broken away from some other religious organization to renew what they consider the original vision of the faith Fundamentally at odds with society and do not seek to become established national religions

Religious Organization New Religious Movements or Cults Small secretive religious groups that represent either a new religion or a major innovation of an existing faith New religious movements are similar to sects in that they tend to be small and are viewed as less respectable than more established faiths.

Religious Organization Figure 13.3: Largest Religious Groups in the United States by County, 2000

Religious Organization Comparing Forms of Religious Organization Ecclesiae, denominations, sects, and new religious movements have somewhat different relationships to society Ecclesiae, denominations, and sects best viewed as types along a continuum Advances in electronic communication have led to the electronic church

Religious Organization

Case Study: Religion in India The Religious Tapestry in India Today, Muslims account for 11% of India’s population; Hindus make up 83% Other popular faiths in India include Sikh and Jainism

Case Study: Religion in India Religion and the State in India India is a secular state dominated by Hindus Many see religion as moving force in Indian society, especially politics Religious divide in India is greater now than it has been at any time since the partition of India and Pakistan

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalist View Manifest function of education is transmission of knowledge Latent functions of education are transmitting culture, promoting social and political integration, maintaining social control, and serving as an agent of change .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalist View Transmitting Culture Exposing young people to existing beliefs, norms, and values of their culture Promoting Social and Political Integration Transforms diverse population into a society whose members share a common identity .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalist View Maintaining Social Control Schools teach students punctuality, discipline, scheduling, and responsible work habits, and how to negotiate through a bureaucratic organization Serving as an Agent of Change Schools serve as meeting ground where distinctive beliefs and traditions can be shared .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Education is an instrument of elite domination Schools reinforce existing social class inequality Convince subordinate groups of their inferiority .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View The Hidden Curriculum Standards of behavior deemed proper by society are taught subtly in schools Credentialism An increase in the lowest level of education needed to enter a field .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Bestowal of Status Tracking: Practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups on basis of test scores and other criteria Correspondence Principle: Schools promote the values expected of individuals in each social class and perpetuate class divisions from one generation to the next. .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Treatment of Women in Education In the United States, the educational system has long been characterized by discriminatory treatment of women .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Treatment of Women in Education Sexism in education shows up in many ways: Stereotypes in textbooks Pressure on women to study traditional women’s subjects Unequal funding for men’s and women’s athletic programs Employment bias for administrators and teachers .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Conflict View Treatment of Women in Education Women have made great strides in proportion of women continuing their education In cultures where traditional gender roles remain as social norms, women’s education suffers appreciably .

Sociological Perspectives on Education Interactionist View Labeling and self-fulfilling prophecy suggest if we treat people in particular ways, they may fulfill our expectations. Teacher-Expectation Effect: impact of teacher expectations and their large role in student performance .

Sociological Perspectives on Education .

Schools as Formal Organizations Bureaucratization of Schools Weber noted five characteristics of bureaucracy, all of which are evident in most schools: Division of labor Hierarchy of authority Written rules and regulations Impersonality Employment based on technical qualifications .

Schools as Formal Organizations Teachers: Employees and Instructors The Teacher’s Conflict Organization follows principles of hierarchy and expects adherence to its rules Professionalism demands individual responsibility of the practitioner Many fewer students choose teaching as career than in the past due to perceived low income, cost of education, and low respect given to profession .

Schools as Formal Organizations Student Subcultures Schools provide for students’ social and recreational needs, and student subculture is complex and diverse Research identified four ideal types of subcultures at the college level: Collegiate Academic Vocational Nonconformist .

Schools as Formal Organizations Figure 13.5: Students at Risk: Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual .

Schools as Formal Organizations Home Schooling More than 1.6 million students now being educated at home Home schooling has increased in recent years, in part due to concerns with: Poor academic quality of schools Peer pressure School violence .

Social Policy and Religion Religion in the Schools The Issue Should public schools be allowed to sponsor organized prayers or other expressions of religion in the classroom? Those who object want to maintain a strict separation of church and state. Who has right to decide these issues?

Social Policy and Religion Religion in the Schools The Setting The issues are at heart of the First Amendment’s provisions on religious freedom In 1987 Supreme Court ruled that states could not compel teaching of creationism in public schools Many school districts now require that teachers entertain alternative theories to evolution

Social Policy and Religion Religion in the Schools Sociological Insights Supporters of school prayer and of creationism feel that use of nondenominational prayer will in no way lead to establishment of an ecclesia in the United States Opponents of school prayer and creationism argue that religious majority in community might impose religious viewpoints specific to its faith at expense of religious minorities.

Social Policy and Religion Religion in the Schools Policy Initiatives School education is fundamentally a local issue, though in 2003, President Bush declared that schools with policies that prevent school prayer are at risk to lose government funding. The activism of religious fundamentalists in the nation’s public schools raises a more general question: Whose ideas and values deserve a hearing in classrooms?