Social Theories

Reflection Assignment #2 Options Conduct a learning audit – what lessons did you see students learning today? or What are the most memorable lessons you learned in elementary school? Middle school? and/or High School? Do you consider these memorable lessons to also be the most valuable lessons you learned?

Structural Functionalism Order perspective, a social hierarchy, Emile Durkheim – internal stability, maintains social cohesion, a mechanical solidarity All pieces of the structure function together, structure = your place or position, function = your contribution to the larger system. All pieces are indispensable. Ex; the organs of the body All social systems serve a specific purpose, society eliminates (or tries to eliminate) those who do not fit / function properly, Schools to teach a common culture where we aspire to get ahead and to uphold meritocracy. All parts of the system are content and accept their position/role, a harmonious equilibrium. Social institutions and positions remain constant because a change in one will cause a change in another.

Goals – describe, predict, control Limits – unable to explain social change, does not recognize social inequalities, maintains the status quo. Ex; storage in the garage

Looking at society through a Structural Functionalist lens; What roles and positions did we identify? What is the purpose / function of each position? Who holds the power?

Looking at the school through a Structural Functionalist lens… What is the purpose / function of schools? What benefits does a structural functionalism view give to the day to day activities of schools? What limits does this view impose on our schools?

School failure? “when industrialization, immigration and compulsory school attendance brought into school large numbers of students who were difficult to teach in traditional classrooms, the problem of school failure was reframed as two interrelated problems-inefficient organizations and defective students.” Skirtic.M. p.67 Disability and Democracy

Interpretive Analysis To describe the role of meaning in shaping human behavior, people act according to the meanings that they attach to a situation. For example; a smile, a wave hello, Humanistic, multiple realities, my lens your lens, Weber – how are behaviors and social decisions guided by interpretation and meanings? Society has no existence outside of our thoughts. People are social products. “Interpretive because it argues that the sources, structure and functions of social life are not entirely objective. They do not fully exist in the external observable world. Instead, their meaning and consequences are subject to interpretation.”

Culture provides a system of meanings, what matters and how to react. Stressing the inter-subjective and self-reflective (what it means to me). Explores patterns of interaction at an everyday level. Goals –describe, interpret, understand, offer perspective,

Limits – consensus, only those who can tell their own stories in their own words. Looking at society; How did you experience school? (k-12) What meaning do you take from being a University student?

Critical analysis Karl Marx – class is the basis of all social inequality, ownership/ruling class has control, Critical of social structures and powers, committed to social change and social analysis, Social structures preserve the power of those who already dominate society, Perpetuating the status quo by dulling the lower classes into being obedient workers, (E.D. School perpetuate society and it’s norms) School – reinforce the privileges of advantaged groups -do not take into account the differential experiences, life chances and ways of knowing -maintain social inequalities using a “hidden curriculum” to train those in the working class to accept their position as lower class in society.

Goals – critiquing and changing society B. Nowlan “this (ideal) society is to be one which will genuinely embody the highest values of human civilization, and which will thereby insure steady progress in the attainment of liberty, justice, prosperity, and contentment for all of its citizens.” What possible alternatives exist, which are desirable, which are necessary and how can we achieve those alternatives Empower critical citizens, who are concerned, aware, questioning, contributing to and participating in society

Who benefits? Schools? Medical care? Lunch programs?

Paulo Freire Pedagogy of the oppressed The oppressed unveil the world of oppression and through the praxis commit themselves to its transformation. The pedagogy ceases to belong to the oppressed and becomes a pedagogy of all people in the process of permanent liberation. (p. 30)

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/taliban-gunmen-shoot-14-year-old-girl-who-fought-for-education-in-pakistan-1.988921 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rbc-replaces-canadian-staff-with-foreign-workers-1.1315008 http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2012/apr/13/occupy-seven-months-of-protest-video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBXubvWGEIU http://cainesarcade.com/

Social Theories in schools With a partner; Describe a recent teaching and learning experience in a school using one (or more) of the social theories.