Sociological Analysis of Education Theories of Schooling
A Sociological Perspective Sociology is concerned with the structure of society and the roles people play Psychology vs. Sociology Schooling vs. Education
Theoretical Frameworks Theories are ways of organizing and explaining the world in which we live Informal “tacit” theories vs. formal theories Educational theories change over time and (cultural) space.
The Explanatory Function of Theory What theories would you use to explain the following questions? Why are some students more successful in school than others? Why is teaching frequently not respected as a profession? Why is the public dissatisfied with school in general, but satisfied with their own children’s education?
Theories of Schooling Functionalism Functionalism is a theory of social transmission Functionalists draw on Evolution in the natural sciences Living organisms (societies) fulfill basic functions to survive They develop specialized structures to carry out those functions The overall health of the organism (society) depends upon the health of each structure
Theories of Schooling Functionalism Social structures (institutions) Family Government Religion Economic system Education Functions or purposes Reproduction (recruit or produce new members) Distribute goods and services Allocate power Transmit rules, customs, appropriate behaviors
Theories of Schooling Functionalism Social Transmission is probably the most important function of social institutions. Family Religion Schools equilibriumFunctionalists claim that if one socializing institution is not fulfilling its function, another will take over that role to retain equilibrium
Functionalism & Purposes of Schooling Intellectual Purposes Acquisition of cognitive skills Acquisition of knowledge Acquisition of inquiry skills Political Purposes Educate future citizens Promote patriotism Promote assimilation of immigrants Insure order, public civility and conformity to laws
Functionalism & Purposes of Schooling Economic Purposes Prepare students for later work roles Select and train the labor force needed by society Social Purposes Promote a sense of social and moral responsibility Serve as a site for the solution or resolution of social problems Supplement the efforts of other institutions of socialization such as the family and the church
Conflict Theory A response to Functionalism Too static Doesn’t account for struggles/clashes among various social groups Accepts inequalities (social/economic/political) as “normal”
Conflict Theory Like Functionalism, conflict theories are theories of social transmission Reproduction Theory Rather than promoting democracy, social mobility and equality, schools reproduce the ideology of the dominant groups in society
Types of Reproduction Economic reproduction (Neo-Marxist) Institutional “superstructures” reproduce the underlying means of production. Schools are structured like factories and are organized like bureaucracies Through tracking and testing, students are sorted into class/gender/ based work roles
How Does Reproduction Happen? Structurally Differentiation is the organizing principle of schools Space Time Roles Tasks Rewards
How Does Reproduction Happen? Control of knowledge Explicit Curriculum- some knowledge is “legitimate” some is not. “Hidden” Curriculum- “appropriate” values, beliefs and behaviors.
Life in Schools
Theories of Transmission & Transformation Transmission Theory (Functionalism) Transmission Theory (Reproduction) Transformation Theory (Critical Pedagogy) Each social system, through its structures and institutions, must carry out certain functions to survive Economics and culture determine the organization of the rest of society Meaning is constructed through social interaction. Power tends to define social institutions Equilibrium is normal; disorder/conflict is pathological Conflict and change are normal/contribute to a system’s health Actions are dictated by role expectations & personal qualities Macro Level Both Macro & Micro Goal is to understand roles and reach consensus Goal is to unmask sources of oppression Goal is emancipation & empowerment
How would each theory explain our questions? Why are some students more successful in school than others? Why is teaching frequently not respected as a profession? Why is the public dissatisfied with school in general, but satisfied with their own children’s education?