HED4809 Assignment 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 2025
ANALYSING SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION AND SOCIETY:
CONFLICT THEORY, FUNCTIONALISM, AND MARXIST THEORY
1. INTRODUCTION
Sociology offers several theories to understand how society is organised, how power is
shared, and how institutions like education shape people's lives. Three key theories,
Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Marxist Theory, are especially useful in studying issues
like inequality, social class, and the role of education in society. Functionalism views society
as a stable system where each part has a role in maintaining order. In contrast, Conflict
Theory sees society as a place where different groups fight over power and resources.
Marxist Theory focuses more specifically on the conflict between the rich and the working
class in capitalist societies.
These theories help explain why education systems may not be equal and how they can
either support or challenge the existing class structure. This assignment explores how
education is connected to class, ideology, and inequality. It also discusses ideas like class
consciousness, hegemony, and the limitations of Functionalism in explaining poverty and
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
ANALYSING SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION AND SOCIETY:
CONFLICT THEORY, FUNCTIONALISM, AND MARXIST THEORY
1. INTRODUCTION
Sociology offers several theories to understand how society is organised, how power
is shared, and how institutions like education shape people's lives. Three key
theories, Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Marxist Theory, are especially useful in
studying issues like inequality, social class, and the role of education in society.
Functionalism views society as a stable system where each part has a role in
maintaining order. In contrast, Conflict Theory sees society as a place where
different groups fight over power and resources. Marxist Theory focuses more
specifically on the conflict between the rich and the working class in capitalist
societies.
These theories help explain why education systems may not be equal and how they
can either support or challenge the existing class structure. This assignment
explores how education is connected to class, ideology, and inequality. It also
discusses ideas like class consciousness, hegemony, and the limitations of
Functionalism in explaining poverty and unequal opportunities.
2. CONFLICT THEORY AND FUNCTIONALISM
2.1 Functionalism
Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views society as a system made up
of interrelated parts, each serving a role in maintaining stability. Just like organs in
the human body work together to keep a person alive, institutions such as education
contribute to the survival and smooth functioning of society (Giddens, 2009:27).
According to Emile Durkheim, a key functionalist thinker, education plays a major
role in socialising children into shared norms, values, and beliefs. It also selects and
trains individuals to fill important roles in society based on their abilities and effort
(Ballantine, 2017:15).
Functionalists argue that schools promote social integration and cohesion by
teaching common cultural values. They see education as a fair system where all
Unique Number:
Due date: 2025
ANALYSING SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION AND SOCIETY:
CONFLICT THEORY, FUNCTIONALISM, AND MARXIST THEORY
1. INTRODUCTION
Sociology offers several theories to understand how society is organised, how power is
shared, and how institutions like education shape people's lives. Three key theories,
Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Marxist Theory, are especially useful in studying issues
like inequality, social class, and the role of education in society. Functionalism views society
as a stable system where each part has a role in maintaining order. In contrast, Conflict
Theory sees society as a place where different groups fight over power and resources.
Marxist Theory focuses more specifically on the conflict between the rich and the working
class in capitalist societies.
These theories help explain why education systems may not be equal and how they can
either support or challenge the existing class structure. This assignment explores how
education is connected to class, ideology, and inequality. It also discusses ideas like class
consciousness, hegemony, and the limitations of Functionalism in explaining poverty and
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
ANALYSING SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION AND SOCIETY:
CONFLICT THEORY, FUNCTIONALISM, AND MARXIST THEORY
1. INTRODUCTION
Sociology offers several theories to understand how society is organised, how power
is shared, and how institutions like education shape people's lives. Three key
theories, Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Marxist Theory, are especially useful in
studying issues like inequality, social class, and the role of education in society.
Functionalism views society as a stable system where each part has a role in
maintaining order. In contrast, Conflict Theory sees society as a place where
different groups fight over power and resources. Marxist Theory focuses more
specifically on the conflict between the rich and the working class in capitalist
societies.
These theories help explain why education systems may not be equal and how they
can either support or challenge the existing class structure. This assignment
explores how education is connected to class, ideology, and inequality. It also
discusses ideas like class consciousness, hegemony, and the limitations of
Functionalism in explaining poverty and unequal opportunities.
2. CONFLICT THEORY AND FUNCTIONALISM
2.1 Functionalism
Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views society as a system made up
of interrelated parts, each serving a role in maintaining stability. Just like organs in
the human body work together to keep a person alive, institutions such as education
contribute to the survival and smooth functioning of society (Giddens, 2009:27).
According to Emile Durkheim, a key functionalist thinker, education plays a major
role in socialising children into shared norms, values, and beliefs. It also selects and
trains individuals to fill important roles in society based on their abilities and effort
(Ballantine, 2017:15).
Functionalists argue that schools promote social integration and cohesion by
teaching common cultural values. They see education as a fair system where all
