unit 7: education
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Unit 7: Education. Sociology Mr. Nicholas. Social Institutions. Family. Economy. Politics. Education. Religion . Mass Media. The Sociology of Education. Education System that ensures the transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next. Schooling - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Unit 7: Education
SociologyMr. Nicholas
Social Institutions
Family Economy
Politics Education
Religion Mass Media
The Sociology of Education
• 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
The Sociology of Religion
• Throughout every time period and in every place humankind has lived, human beings have searched for answers to two basic questions. . .
• Why do we live?
• Why do we die?
The Sociology of Religion
• Sacred – Anything that is considered to
be part of the supernatural world and that inspires awe, respect, and reverence.
• Profane– Anything considered to be part
of the ordinary world.
The Sociology of Religion
• Religion– A system of roles and norms that is organized around
the sacred realm and that binds people together in social groups.
The Sociology of Religion
• Sociology and Religion– Religion is a social creation– Things that are sacred in one society may be
profane in another– Religion is based on faith rather than science
The Functions of Religion• Social Cohesion
– Religion creates a sense of community and belonging which makes people feel less alone in the world.
• Social Control– It encourages conformity to the norms of society, and provides a
standard by which to be judged by other people. – This may limit freedom of innovation, thought, and social reform.
• Emotional Support– Helps people endure disappointment and suffering, and
attempts to provide answers to questions about life and death.– May encourage people to accept their social conditions because
rewards await them in the afterlife.
The Nature of Religion
• All religions share the same basic elements– Rituals and Symbols – Belief Systems – Organizational Structures
Rituals and Symbols
• Ritual – an established pattern of behavior through which a
group of believers experiences the sacred. – For example, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Also,
prayer meetings, worship services, and religious feasts and holidays.
• Symbols – Particular clothing, herbs, chalices, crosses, books,
and others are often used to emphasize the sacred character of rituals.
Belief Systems Animism: Spirits active in influencing human life but not worshiped. Rituals thank or win spirits’ good will.
Shamanism: Spirits communicate with one person (shaman). Shamans can heal sick, predict the future.
Totemism: Kinship between humans and animals/natural objects—totems.
Theism: Belief in god or gods. God is divine power worthy of worship.
Monotheism: Belief in one god; Judaism, Islam, Christianity; Has organized structure, priesthood, ritualsPolytheism: Multiple gods; Hinduism; usually one powerful god and lesser gods.
Ethicalism: Based on a set of moral principles with sacred quality
Involve meditation and purity of thought and action; Buddhism, Confucianism
Organizational Structures• Ecclesia
– Most people in the society are members by birth– State-controlled and operated– No tolerance for others religions
• Denomination– A large portion of the population are members. – Tolerant of other beliefs
• Sect– A small group that has split from a larger denomination
because of differences in beliefs • Cult
– A new religion whose beliefs differ greatly from the norm– Their beliefs are often based on the revelations of a cult leader