,HED4809 ASSIGNMENT 01: SHORT ORIENTATION QUESTIONS (100 marks
CHAPTER 1
1.1 How does functionalism view schooling? (5)
Functionalism views schooling as an important institution in society that serves the purpose of
socializing individuals, transmitting cultural values, and preparing students for their roles in the
workforce. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining social order and stability through
education. According to functionalism, schooling contributes to the overall functioning of society
by ensuring that individuals have the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the economy
and maintain social harmony.
References:
1. Durkheim, E. (1956). Education and sociology. Free Press.
2. Parsons, T. (1959). The school as a social system: Some of its functions in American society.
Harvard Educational Review, 29(4), 297-317.
1.2 How does conflict (Marxist) theory view schooling? (5)
Conflict theory views schooling as a system that perpetuates social inequality, reproduces class
structures, and maintains the status quo of the capitalist system. According to conflict theory,
schools are institutions that serve the interests of the ruling class by reproducing their ideologies
and values, and by shaping students to fit into the existing social hierarchy. This theory argues that
schools perpetuate inequality by providing unequal opportunities for students based on their
social class, race, and gender, and by reinforcing the existing power structures in society.
References:
1. Bowles, S., & Gintis, H. (2002). Schooling in capitalist America: Educational reform and the
contradictions of economic life. Routledge.
2. Marx, K. (1977). Capital: A critique of political economy, Vol. 1. Penguin.
3. Giroux, H. A. (2011). Schooling and the struggle for public life: Critical pedagogy in the modern
age. Routledge.
4. Bourdieu, P., & Passeron, J. C. (1990). Reproduction in education, society and culture. Sage
Publications.
5. Anyon, J. (1981). Social class and the hidden curriculum of work. Journal of Education, 162(1),
67-92.
1.3 How does interpretivism (interpretivist approach) view the school?
Interpretivism, also known as the interpretivist approach, views the school as a social institution
where individuals engage in complex and diverse interactions that are shaped by their subjective
, interpretations and understandings of the world. This approach emphasizes the importance of
understanding the meanings and symbols that individuals attach to their experiences within the
school environment. Interpretivists argue that the school is not simply a neutral setting for the
transmission of knowledge, but rather a social context where students, teachers, and other
stakeholders actively construct and negotiate meanings through their interactions.
References:
1. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. Sage
Publications.
2. Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin
& Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105-117). Sage Publications.
CHAPTER 2
2.1 Briefly explain the two primary requirements of social life. (5)
The two primary requirements of social life are social connection and cooperation. Social
connection refers to the need for individuals to form relationships and bonds with others in their
community, while cooperation involves the ability to work together with others to achieve
common goals and solve collective problems.
References:
- Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal
attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497-529.
- Fehr, E., & Fischbacher, U. (2003). The nature of human altruism. Nature, 425(6960), 785-791.
2.2 Briefly discuss Dreeben’s four key norms which are learnt in school. (5)
Dreeben's four key norms that are learnt in school are:
- Orderliness and routine: Students learn to follow structured schedules and procedures in the
classroom, which can help them develop self-discipline and time management skills.
- Cooperation and teamwork: Schools provide opportunities for students to work together on
group projects and activities, helping them to develop social skills and the ability to collaborate
with others.
- Compliance with authority: Students learn to follow rules and instructions from teachers and
other authority figures, which can help them to understand the importance of respecting authority
and following societal norms.