1. Education and Functionalism Hi guys! You are at the revision programme for Education and Functionalism. Click on the picture of me (Emile Durkheim) to enter!! Image: cvm.qc.ca

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3. Question 1: How can you use the analogy of the body to explain the Functionalist view of society? (this is a ‘think’ exercise, click on the picture to reveal whether you are correct) Much like the organs in the body, society’s institutions must work together to keep society functioning properly

4. Question 2: Think what the gaps in this sentance could be. Click on the ‘gap’ to see if your guess was correct! Institutions such as ______________, ___________, and ____________ must work together for society to run smoothly and function properly. In previous years, ___________ was the institution central to passing on norms and values. Today, many argue that _____________ has taken over from religion, and performs the vital function of ____________ members of society. THE FAMILYRELIGIONEDUCATION RELIGION EDUCATION SOCIALISING

5. Question 3: Who is the founding father of Functionalism? (click on the answer to reveal whether you are correct) Howard Becker Louis Althusser Karl Marx Emile Durkheim

6. Question 4: Another Functionalist, Talcott Parsons, believes education performs which four functions.... (click on the answer to reveal whether you are correct) change from ascribed to achieved status creates a trained and qualified labour force rewards achievement and selects appropriate people for jobs teaches that religion is the answer to life’s problems to take children away from their families teaches ruling class ideology to young people teaches how to use maths in everyday situations secondary socialisation

7. Question 4: According to Functionalists, education helps to perform secondary socialisation. Where does primary socialisation take place? (click on the answer to reveal whether you are correct) in the family at church in the womb

8. Question 5: Elaborate on the following points, to construct an evaluation on the Functionalist perspective (click on the answer to reveal whether you are correct) Single set of values Really creating a skilled workforce? Opportunity for advancement Assume education is a meritocracy

9. Single set of values? Functionalists believe education passes on norms and values to new generations. However, does society have a single set of values to transmit? Societies tend to be made up of a mix of groups of people, many of whom have different values or beliefs. Who’s norms, values and beliefs is the education system transmitting? Most likely to be the vales of the ruling class! Back to evaluation points

10. Assume education is a meritocracy? Define what is meant by a meritocracy. Use your knowledge of differences in attainment based on gender, ethnicity and social class to explain how we may not be living in a meritocracy. i.e. Girls vs. boys White students vs. ethnic minority students Differences between different ethnic minority groups (i.e. Chinese/Indian students vs. Black Caribbean students) Working class vs. middle class Back to evaluation points

11. Opportunity for advancement? Does the education system really provide students with the opportunity to advance themselves? Middle class people tend to do better at school, get more qualifications and get middle class or better jobs Does education really select and allocate people for the correct jobs in terms of ability? Or does class/gender/ethnic background have something to do with it? Back to evaluation points

12. Skilled workforce? Does the education system really produce a skilled workforce for the modern industrial society? Many of the subjects learnt in schools today are of little value in the workplace. Think of subjects learnt at school and see if they could be seen as producing a skilled workforce? e.g. Art English Literature History

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