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SED2601 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 24
June 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2025
Contents
QUESTION 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Define sociology in your own words (2 marks) ................................................................. 3
1.2 Describe education according to your understanding (2 marks) ................................. 3
1.3 Explain the following terms and give one example of each .......................................... 3
1.4 Discuss the proponents of conflict theory from your own view (4 marks)................ 5
QUESTION 2 .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 In your opinion, how does conflict theory perceive the role played by families in
society? (6 marks) ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 What is your view on the role of the family as a social institution? (4 marks) ......... 6
2.3 Describe the principles of symbolic interactionism theory (5 marks) ........................ 6
2.4 How can you critique functionalist theory? Include examples in your response. (5
marks) ................................................................................................................................................. 7
QUESTION 3 .......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Argue how symbolic interactionism theory perceives the role of families (6
marks) ................................................................................................................................................. 7
3.2 Explain the AGIL model, as proposed by Parsons (4 marks) ........................................ 8
3.3 Interpret how conflict theory views the role of schooling in society from your
perspective (4 marks) ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.4 Debate how conflict theory is applied to society from your point of view (6 marks)
.............................................................................................................................................................. 9
QUESTION 4 .......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Analyse the role of the school as a social institution and include examples in
your discussion (6 marks) ............................................................................................................. 9
4.2 Explain the concept of social integration (5 marks) ...................................................... 10
4.3 Describe assimilation in relation to the social function of a school (4 marks) ...... 10
4.4 Demonstrate your understanding of functionalism theory with reference to
schools (5 marks)........................................................................................................................... 11
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QUESTION 5 ........................................................................................................................................ 11
5.1 Examine the role of the economy as a social institution (5 marks) ........................... 11
5.2 Discuss the ecology of a school, and include examples in your discussion (5
marks) ............................................................................................................................................... 12
5.3 Interpret Bronfenbrenner’s chronosystem in relation to your environment.
Include a definition and explanation (4 marks) ...................................................................... 12
5.4 Apply your understanding of Bronfenbrenner’s exosystem level. Include a
definition and explanation (4 marks) ........................................................................................ 13
5.5 Define modernisation in your own words (2 marks) ...................................................... 13
References ........................................................................................................................................... 13
SED2601 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 24
June 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2025
Contents
QUESTION 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Define sociology in your own words (2 marks) ................................................................. 3
1.2 Describe education according to your understanding (2 marks) ................................. 3
1.3 Explain the following terms and give one example of each .......................................... 3
1.4 Discuss the proponents of conflict theory from your own view (4 marks)................ 5
QUESTION 2 .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 In your opinion, how does conflict theory perceive the role played by families in
society? (6 marks) ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 What is your view on the role of the family as a social institution? (4 marks) ......... 6
2.3 Describe the principles of symbolic interactionism theory (5 marks) ........................ 6
2.4 How can you critique functionalist theory? Include examples in your response. (5
marks) ................................................................................................................................................. 7
QUESTION 3 .......................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Argue how symbolic interactionism theory perceives the role of families (6
marks) ................................................................................................................................................. 7
3.2 Explain the AGIL model, as proposed by Parsons (4 marks) ........................................ 8
3.3 Interpret how conflict theory views the role of schooling in society from your
perspective (4 marks) ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.4 Debate how conflict theory is applied to society from your point of view (6 marks)
.............................................................................................................................................................. 9
QUESTION 4 .......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Analyse the role of the school as a social institution and include examples in
your discussion (6 marks) ............................................................................................................. 9
4.2 Explain the concept of social integration (5 marks) ...................................................... 10
4.3 Describe assimilation in relation to the social function of a school (4 marks) ...... 10
4.4 Demonstrate your understanding of functionalism theory with reference to
schools (5 marks)........................................................................................................................... 11
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QUESTION 5 ........................................................................................................................................ 11
5.1 Examine the role of the economy as a social institution (5 marks) ........................... 11
5.2 Discuss the ecology of a school, and include examples in your discussion (5
marks) ............................................................................................................................................... 12
5.3 Interpret Bronfenbrenner’s chronosystem in relation to your environment.
Include a definition and explanation (4 marks) ...................................................................... 12
5.4 Apply your understanding of Bronfenbrenner’s exosystem level. Include a
definition and explanation (4 marks) ........................................................................................ 13
5.5 Define modernisation in your own words (2 marks) ...................................................... 13
References ........................................................................................................................................... 13
