Exam (elaborations)
HED4809 Assignment 1 | Due 27 May 2025
Course
Sociology of Education (HED4809)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
School and Society, 5th Edition
HED4809 Assignment 1 Memo | Due 27 May 2025. All questions fully
answered.
QUESTION 1 Multiple Choice Questions To answer the question, write e.g. 10
B 1. Do you agree that the hidden curriculum primarily serves to uphold
existing power structures, as suggested by Conflict Theory? Why or why not?
(2) a) Yes, because the hidden curriculum transmits dominant cultural values
that reinforce existing social hierarchies. b) No, because the hidden
curriculum mainly helps students understand societal norms rather than
enforce power dynamics. c) Yes, because the hidden curriculum is
intentionally designed to prioritize individual achievement over collective
values. d) No, because the hidden curriculum promotes only educational
standards without any influence on societal power structures.
1A
Explanation: According to Conflict Theory, the hidden curriculum does indeed serve to
maintain and reinforce existing power structures. It does this by transmitting dominant cultural
values—such as obedience, competition, and respect for authority—that reflect and sustain the
interests of the ruling class or dominant groups in society
2. How would you evaluate the effectiveness of role differentiation in
achieving social solidarity versus encouraging individualism in students? (2)
a) Role differentiation promotes social solidarity by teaching students to
work in groups toward common goals. b) Role differentiation encourages
individualism by assigning specific roles that may limit collaborative learning.
,c) Role differentiation strikes a balance by encouraging students to develop
individual skills that contribute to collective goals. d) Role differentiation has
no impact on either social solidarity or individualism in educational settings.
2C
Explanation: Option C best captures the dual function of role differentiation in education. It
allows students to develop individual strengths and responsibilities, while also contributing to
group success—thereby fostering both individual development and social solidarity.
3. What criteria would you use to assess whether Robert Dreeben’s concept
of achievement is equally applicable to all students, regardless of
background? (2) a) Evaluating whether achievement is measured by
standardized tests. b) Assessing whether all students, regardless of
background, have equal access to resources that support achievement. c)
Measuring if students from different backgrounds feel motivated to meet
achievement standards. d) Determining if students are primarily assessed on
individual merit rather than group work.
3B
Explanation: Option B is the most appropriate because assessing the equity of access to
resources—such as quality teaching, learning materials, and support systems—is essential in
determining whether Robert Dreeben’s concept of achievement is equitably applicable to all
students, regardless of their socio-economic or cultural background.
4. Can you assess the validity of the interpretivist approach in uncovering
the implicit messages of the hidden curriculum in multicultural classrooms?
(2) a) The interpretivist approach is limited because it relies solely on
quantitative data. b) The interpretivist approach is valid as it focuses on
understanding students' perspectives and cultural contexts. c) The
interpretivist approach is ineffective because it does not account for the
structural factors in education. d) The interpretivist approach is irrelevant as
it disregards objective standards in the curriculum.
,4B
Explanation: Option B is correct because the interpretivist approach emphasizes
understanding the subjective experiences and meanings that students attach to their educational
environment. This makes it especially valuable in multicultural classrooms, where diverse
cultural backgrounds influence how students perceive and respond to the hidden curriculum.
5. How would you design a curriculum that balances political socialization
with critical thinking, using ideas from Functionalism and Conflict Theory? (2)
a) By integrating role differentiation that encourages critical analysis of
social and political systems. b) By eliminating topics related to political
systems to focus on universal education standards. c) By incorporating
modules that discourage questioning of existing social structures. d) By
emphasizing rote memorization of government systems.
5A
Explanation: Option A is correct because it reflects a balanced approach. From a
Functionalist perspective, role differentiation helps maintain social order, while Conflict
Theory encourages critical analysis of power and inequality. Designing a curriculum that
includes critical thinking about political and social systems allows students to understand their
roles in society while also questioning and evaluating existing structures.
6. Can you propose an alternative model to the hidden curriculum that aligns
more closely with Robert Dreeben’s values of independence and specificity?
(2) a) A model that emphasizes universal achievement standards without
considering individual learning needs. b) A model where students choose
personalized learning paths that foster independence while meeting specific
learning goals. c) A model that discourages individualized learning in favor of
group-based assessments. d) A model that follows a strict, predetermined
curriculum that minimizes individual expression.
6B
Explanation: Option B is the most aligned with Robert Dreeben’s values of independence and
specificity. A model where students can choose personalized learning paths allows them to
develop independent thinking while still focusing on specific learning goals, reflecting a
balance between individuality and educational objectives.
, 7. What changes would you make to current educational practices to
promote Wilbert Moore’s Stage Theory ideals while addressing issues of
assimilation and cultural diversity? (2) a) Introduce culturally relevant
examples in each stage to reflect diverse backgrounds. b) Limit curriculum
stages to topics that are universally applicable to all students. c) Ensure each
educational stage includes a focus on conformity to a dominant cultural
perspective. d) Replace Stages Theory with an individualized, unstructured
curriculum.
7A
Explanation: Option A is the best approach as it incorporates culturally relevant examples into
each stage of Wilbert Moore’s Stage Theory, promoting both social integration and respect for
cultural diversity. This allows students from diverse backgrounds to see themselves reflected in
the curriculum while still progressing through the stages of education.
8. How might you construct a new approach to role differentiation that
enhances both social solidarity and individual achievement? (2) a) Assign
students the same roles to promote uniformity and solidarity. b) Allow
students to rotate through different roles, encouraging both teamwork and
personal growth. c) Focus exclusively on competitive roles that highlight
individual achievements. d) Restrict role differentiation to advanced learners
only.
8B
Explanation: Option B is the most effective because rotating students through different roles
promotes teamwork (enhancing social solidarity) while also encouraging personal growth and
individual achievement. This approach balances the benefits of collective collaboration with the
development of individual skills and responsibilities.
9. How would you assess the impact of political socialization within the
curriculum on students’ critical thinking skills? (2) a) Political socialization
HED4809 Assignment 1 | Due 27 May 2025
Course
Sociology of Education (HED4809)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
School and Society, 5th Edition
HED4809 Assignment 1 Memo | Due 27 May 2025. All questions fully
answered.
QUESTION 1 Multiple Choice Questions To answer the question, write e.g. 10
B 1. Do you agree that the hidden curriculum primarily serves to uphold
existing power structures, as suggested by Conflict Theory? Why or why not?
(2) a) Yes, because the hidden curriculum transmits dominant cultural values
that reinforce existing social hierarchies. b) No, because the hidden
curriculum mainly helps students understand societal norms rather than
enforce power dynamics. c) Yes, because the hidden curriculum is
intentionally designed to prioritize individual achievement over collective
values. d) No, because the hidden curriculum promotes only educational
standards without any influence on societal power structures.
1A
Explanation: According to Conflict Theory, the hidden curriculum does indeed serve to
maintain and reinforce existing power structures. It does this by transmitting dominant cultural
values—such as obedience, competition, and respect for authority—that reflect and sustain the
interests of the ruling class or dominant groups in society
2. How would you evaluate the effectiveness of role differentiation in
achieving social solidarity versus encouraging individualism in students? (2)
a) Role differentiation promotes social solidarity by teaching students to
work in groups toward common goals. b) Role differentiation encourages
individualism by assigning specific roles that may limit collaborative learning.
,c) Role differentiation strikes a balance by encouraging students to develop
individual skills that contribute to collective goals. d) Role differentiation has
no impact on either social solidarity or individualism in educational settings.
2C
Explanation: Option C best captures the dual function of role differentiation in education. It
allows students to develop individual strengths and responsibilities, while also contributing to
group success—thereby fostering both individual development and social solidarity.
3. What criteria would you use to assess whether Robert Dreeben’s concept
of achievement is equally applicable to all students, regardless of
background? (2) a) Evaluating whether achievement is measured by
standardized tests. b) Assessing whether all students, regardless of
background, have equal access to resources that support achievement. c)
Measuring if students from different backgrounds feel motivated to meet
achievement standards. d) Determining if students are primarily assessed on
individual merit rather than group work.
3B
Explanation: Option B is the most appropriate because assessing the equity of access to
resources—such as quality teaching, learning materials, and support systems—is essential in
determining whether Robert Dreeben’s concept of achievement is equitably applicable to all
students, regardless of their socio-economic or cultural background.
4. Can you assess the validity of the interpretivist approach in uncovering
the implicit messages of the hidden curriculum in multicultural classrooms?
(2) a) The interpretivist approach is limited because it relies solely on
quantitative data. b) The interpretivist approach is valid as it focuses on
understanding students' perspectives and cultural contexts. c) The
interpretivist approach is ineffective because it does not account for the
structural factors in education. d) The interpretivist approach is irrelevant as
it disregards objective standards in the curriculum.
,4B
Explanation: Option B is correct because the interpretivist approach emphasizes
understanding the subjective experiences and meanings that students attach to their educational
environment. This makes it especially valuable in multicultural classrooms, where diverse
cultural backgrounds influence how students perceive and respond to the hidden curriculum.
5. How would you design a curriculum that balances political socialization
with critical thinking, using ideas from Functionalism and Conflict Theory? (2)
a) By integrating role differentiation that encourages critical analysis of
social and political systems. b) By eliminating topics related to political
systems to focus on universal education standards. c) By incorporating
modules that discourage questioning of existing social structures. d) By
emphasizing rote memorization of government systems.
5A
Explanation: Option A is correct because it reflects a balanced approach. From a
Functionalist perspective, role differentiation helps maintain social order, while Conflict
Theory encourages critical analysis of power and inequality. Designing a curriculum that
includes critical thinking about political and social systems allows students to understand their
roles in society while also questioning and evaluating existing structures.
6. Can you propose an alternative model to the hidden curriculum that aligns
more closely with Robert Dreeben’s values of independence and specificity?
(2) a) A model that emphasizes universal achievement standards without
considering individual learning needs. b) A model where students choose
personalized learning paths that foster independence while meeting specific
learning goals. c) A model that discourages individualized learning in favor of
group-based assessments. d) A model that follows a strict, predetermined
curriculum that minimizes individual expression.
6B
Explanation: Option B is the most aligned with Robert Dreeben’s values of independence and
specificity. A model where students can choose personalized learning paths allows them to
develop independent thinking while still focusing on specific learning goals, reflecting a
balance between individuality and educational objectives.
, 7. What changes would you make to current educational practices to
promote Wilbert Moore’s Stage Theory ideals while addressing issues of
assimilation and cultural diversity? (2) a) Introduce culturally relevant
examples in each stage to reflect diverse backgrounds. b) Limit curriculum
stages to topics that are universally applicable to all students. c) Ensure each
educational stage includes a focus on conformity to a dominant cultural
perspective. d) Replace Stages Theory with an individualized, unstructured
curriculum.
7A
Explanation: Option A is the best approach as it incorporates culturally relevant examples into
each stage of Wilbert Moore’s Stage Theory, promoting both social integration and respect for
cultural diversity. This allows students from diverse backgrounds to see themselves reflected in
the curriculum while still progressing through the stages of education.
8. How might you construct a new approach to role differentiation that
enhances both social solidarity and individual achievement? (2) a) Assign
students the same roles to promote uniformity and solidarity. b) Allow
students to rotate through different roles, encouraging both teamwork and
personal growth. c) Focus exclusively on competitive roles that highlight
individual achievements. d) Restrict role differentiation to advanced learners
only.
8B
Explanation: Option B is the most effective because rotating students through different roles
promotes teamwork (enhancing social solidarity) while also encouraging personal growth and
individual achievement. This approach balances the benefits of collective collaboration with the
development of individual skills and responsibilities.
9. How would you assess the impact of political socialization within the
curriculum on students’ critical thinking skills? (2) a) Political socialization
