1. Unit 7: Education
Sociology
Mr. Nicholas

2. Social Institutions Family Economy Politics Religion Mass Media
Education
What are some of the basic needs met by the Education?
-Socialization
-teaching of cultural norms and values
-the transmission of knowledge needed for adulthood
-teaching youth the skills they will need to get jobs and support themselves
Religion
Mass Media

3. The Sociology of Education
System that ensures the transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next.
Schooling
Instruction by specially trained teachers who follow officially recognized policies

4. Sociological Perspectives
Functionalist
The world is a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable society
Conflict
Interested in power struggles
Symbolic Interaction
Focuses on how individuals interact with one another through the use of symbols and language

5. The Functionalist Perspective on Education
Functionalists believe that education works to maintain the stability and smooth operation of society.
The most important of these functions include
Teaching the knowledge and skills
The transmission of culture
Social integration
Occupation placement

6. The Functionalist Perspective on Education
Core Curriculum
The subjects comprising a course of study in school
Cultural transmission
A process by which schools pass a society’s core values from one generation to the next.
Children learn social norms, values, and beliefs
Teach students patriotism, loyalty, and socially accepted forms of behavior

7. The Conflict Perspective on Education
The educational system serves to limit the potential of certain individuals and groups to gain power and social rewards.
They point to two factors as evidence:
Social Control
Tracking

8. The Conflict Perspective on Education
Social Control
Control serves to produce unquestioning citizens who accept the basic inequalities of the social system
Hidden Curriculum
The school’s transmission of cultural goals that are not openly acknowledged
Teaching a set of values that center on obedience to authority

9. The Conflict Perspective on Education
Tracking
Involves different types of educational programs based on test scores and behavior
Conflict theorists view this as a way for the wealthy and powerful to maintain their position in society.

10. Review Sociological Perspective View of Education Functionalist
Schools help maintain the stability and smooth operation of society
Conflict
The education system serves to limit the potential of certain people and groups to gain power and social rewards
Interactionist
Students’ educational achievements and successes are shaped in part by student-teacher interactions

11. Issues in American Education
Educational Reform
To address a decline in the level of the quality of education
Educational alternatives
Provides school choice through vouchers, charter schools, and options such as homeschooling
Violence in the Schools
Has led to the use of security measures, zero-tolerance policies, and conflict-resolution programs
Bilingual Education
Controversial, particularly in states with many Hispanics; has led to “English Only” movement