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Summary SOCIOLOGY A LEVEL EDUCATION + RESEARCH METHODS NOTES (A*)
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- AQA
Partial summary of the Webb textbook, notes got me an A*
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Functionalism Functionalists - very positive view of education
Durkheim - functions of education
creating social solidarity
teaching specialist skills
education teaches children to act in the way that society expects them to - creating
social solidarity
Education and social solidarity
durkeim - education functions to create social solidarity
sense of belonging to a wider community/society
history - links children to the past and present - promotes a sense of pride
children constantly reminded of social obligations and how they are part of a bigger
whole - more important than the individual
promotes solidarity by transmitting culture
acts as a mini society
important because without a common purpose and a sense of community - people
would become selfish and individualistic
Education and specialist skills
learning specialist skills for work
trad societies - skills passed on through family or apprenticeships - education in
school not necessary
advanced industrial economy - requires a complex division of labour
school - learn the skills for this to take place
e.g. specialising when we select gcses
therefore - all members of society become equipped to perform the roles required -
occupation
varied curriculum - student is well prepared to play their part in the social division of
labour
Parsons
bridge between family and society - education
families - ascribed status (each child has a unique and special status)
school - universalistic and achieved status
both school and society - meritocratic (not like family)
Davis and Moore
schools select and allocate pupils for their future work roles
begins the process through 'sifting and sorting' into ability groups
the most able - highest marks and qualifications - highest positions
, the least able - occupy the least well regarded positions
justifed as the US education system if meritocratic
every student has an equal chance to compete for the best paid positions
ensures that the most talented individuals are employed in the most demanding
positions
argument is based on meritocracy
the relative importance of jobs
some jobs are more important to society than others
education helps identify those capable of doing such jobs
exams system - encourages competition, individual achievement and hard work -
linked to how those doing the most important jobs get the highest pay
benefits society as a whole to have the most capable people in the most important jobs
New Right
intro to neo liberalism
economic theory that favours free markets and minimal gov intervention
individual liberty - freedom to choose
market forces - competition
promotes marketisation policies and transfer of services into private ownership - run
like businesses
dominant philosophy of the tory party 1980s onwards
the state cannot meet peoples needs or desires effectively - people should meet their
own needs through the free market
supports the marketisation of education - consumers can choose the education that
best fits their needs
new right and functionalism similarities
some are more talented than others
meritocracy and competition
education plays a vital role in socialising young people into shared norms and values
new right and functionalism differences
new right were highly critical of the education system prior to the 80s
as it was run by the state - uresponsive to individuals needs
poorly performing schools not held accountable to their consumers
Chubb and Moe (1988)
state education is unresponsive to the needs of pupils and parents and has low
standards
private education has to please its customers in order to survive - high standards
call for the introduction of a market system - voucher system
, Two roles for the state
see a limited role for the state
imposes a framework on schools in which they have to compete e.g ofsted and league
tables
ensures that shcools transmit a shared culture
Marketisation
process of introducing market forces into areas sun by the state
schools, colleges and universities must compete for customers in an open market
parents and students have the freedom to choose their school
standards will rise because consumers will select the best performing schools
educational institutions will have an incentive to raise standards
Performativity - Stephan Ball 2012
performativity - data collected by schools with a focus on performance
marketisation - leads to audits, inspections, appraisals, self reviews and quality
assurance
means that schools cant be below standard
Privatisation
private sector participation in education
e.g. deals with private companies providing vending machines selling branded
products
testing and tutoring by private companies
the subcontratcing of services such as catering and cleaning to private companies -
private sector is seen as more efficient
Marxist
Two main functions of education in capitalist society
reproduces inequalitites and social relations of production of capitalist society e.g
trains students from working class backgrounds to do working class jobs and provides
elite education for the children of the wealthy
legitimates class inequalities through the myth of meritocracy - in reality positions
reflect class background rather than ability
persuades workers to accept that inequality is inevitable and they deserve their place
in society - will not threaten the capitalist system
Althusser
the state consists of two elements which keep the bourgeoisie in power
the repressive state apparatuses - maintain the rule by force or the threat of it (e.g the
police, courts and army)
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