SED2601 EXAM SUMMARY
CHAPTER 1
Chapter 1: Theories in Sociology of Education - Velisiwe Gasa and Sue du Plessis
**Introduction**
- Sociology of education explores how social institutions affect individuals and societies.
- It involves ideologies, curricula, and pedagogical techniques in education.
- The chapter reviews three main theories: functionalism, conflict theory (Marxism), and symbolic
interactionism.
**Key Concepts**
1. **Sociology** - The study of social interactions, human behaviors, and social factors.
2. **Education** - The dynamic process of acquiring knowledge, fostering reasoning, and preparing
individuals for life.
3. **Sociology of Education** - The sociological analysis of educational structures, processes, and
practices at micro and macro levels.
**Functions of Sociology of Education**
- Understanding the relationship between education and society.
- Analyzing how school practices influence student performance.
- Examining how social forces (politics, economics, culture) affect educational institutions.
These three theories offer unique perspectives on society, social forces, and human behavior.
*Learning Objectives*
- Understand the sociology of education paradigm and its influence on global society.
- Critically analyze functionalism, conflict theory (Marxism), and symbolic interactionism.
- Explore how these theories apply to family, school, and society.
,Certainly, here are the summarized key points from the provided text on the functions of sociology of
education and the functionalist perspective for your exam preparation:
**Functions of Sociology of Education:**
1. Acquisition of knowledge and personality development are the main functions of education.
2. From a sociological perspective, education also includes assimilation and transmission of culture and
traditions, development of new social patterns, and activation of constructive and creative forces.
**Assimilation and Transmission of Culture and Traditions:**
- Education must consciously and selectively include aspects of culture and tradition based on their value
and acceptability.
- Education should promote clear moral principles, self-awareness, creative thinking, appreciation of
culture, well-being, respect for others and the environment, and more.
**Development of New Social Patterns:**
- Education needs to preserve traditional values while embracing new values and social patterns.
- Aims include cultivating a global mindset, promoting economic development, social responsibility,
problem-solving skills, and training in adapting to change.
**Activation of Constructive and Creative Forces:**
- Education aims to create a qualified and creative workforce adaptable to new technologies and societal
changes.
- Goals include vocational education, mental and physical skills development, social contribution,
democracy appreciation, and more.
**Functionalist Perspective:**
- Structural functionalism, associated with Durkheim and Parsons, emphasizes how institutions
contribute to societal stability.
- Durkheim emphasized moral regulation and social integration for modern society.
- Parsons' AGIL model outlines adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency as functions all
social systems must perform.
, - Education plays a crucial role in balancing individual rights and societal interests, instilling solidarity and
value consensus.
**Functionalism** (Assumptions):
- Collective conscience and value consensus are vital for societal well-being.
- Shared values and beliefs promote cooperation and avoid conflict.
- Value consensus leads to shared goals, roles, and norms.
- Education fosters social solidarity and transmits societal norms and values.
- Family provides socialization, emotional security, and performs various functions.
- The government provides education, funded by taxes, contributing to societal stability.
- Religion strengthens social integration through shared values.
- Media influences public opinion and reflects cultural diversity.
- Power politics aims to achieve collective goals and maintain order.
**Critiques of Functionalism**:
- It encourages complacency and maintains the status quo.
- It does not promote active questioning of societal values and interests.
- It assumes that social change is undesirable.
- It may not account for multicultural societies.
- It may not address inequality in modern, socially stratified societies.
**Conflict Theory**:
- Conflict is inevitable due to varying access to resources.
- Wealthy/powerful groups exploit those with less power.
- Karl Marx is the intellectual founder of this theory.
- Social structures are shaped by different interests and resources.
- Class divisions in society are open to empirical questioning.
**Conflict Theory and Families**:
- Inequalities exist in wealth, power, and status within society.
CHAPTER 1
Chapter 1: Theories in Sociology of Education - Velisiwe Gasa and Sue du Plessis
**Introduction**
- Sociology of education explores how social institutions affect individuals and societies.
- It involves ideologies, curricula, and pedagogical techniques in education.
- The chapter reviews three main theories: functionalism, conflict theory (Marxism), and symbolic
interactionism.
**Key Concepts**
1. **Sociology** - The study of social interactions, human behaviors, and social factors.
2. **Education** - The dynamic process of acquiring knowledge, fostering reasoning, and preparing
individuals for life.
3. **Sociology of Education** - The sociological analysis of educational structures, processes, and
practices at micro and macro levels.
**Functions of Sociology of Education**
- Understanding the relationship between education and society.
- Analyzing how school practices influence student performance.
- Examining how social forces (politics, economics, culture) affect educational institutions.
These three theories offer unique perspectives on society, social forces, and human behavior.
*Learning Objectives*
- Understand the sociology of education paradigm and its influence on global society.
- Critically analyze functionalism, conflict theory (Marxism), and symbolic interactionism.
- Explore how these theories apply to family, school, and society.
,Certainly, here are the summarized key points from the provided text on the functions of sociology of
education and the functionalist perspective for your exam preparation:
**Functions of Sociology of Education:**
1. Acquisition of knowledge and personality development are the main functions of education.
2. From a sociological perspective, education also includes assimilation and transmission of culture and
traditions, development of new social patterns, and activation of constructive and creative forces.
**Assimilation and Transmission of Culture and Traditions:**
- Education must consciously and selectively include aspects of culture and tradition based on their value
and acceptability.
- Education should promote clear moral principles, self-awareness, creative thinking, appreciation of
culture, well-being, respect for others and the environment, and more.
**Development of New Social Patterns:**
- Education needs to preserve traditional values while embracing new values and social patterns.
- Aims include cultivating a global mindset, promoting economic development, social responsibility,
problem-solving skills, and training in adapting to change.
**Activation of Constructive and Creative Forces:**
- Education aims to create a qualified and creative workforce adaptable to new technologies and societal
changes.
- Goals include vocational education, mental and physical skills development, social contribution,
democracy appreciation, and more.
**Functionalist Perspective:**
- Structural functionalism, associated with Durkheim and Parsons, emphasizes how institutions
contribute to societal stability.
- Durkheim emphasized moral regulation and social integration for modern society.
- Parsons' AGIL model outlines adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency as functions all
social systems must perform.
, - Education plays a crucial role in balancing individual rights and societal interests, instilling solidarity and
value consensus.
**Functionalism** (Assumptions):
- Collective conscience and value consensus are vital for societal well-being.
- Shared values and beliefs promote cooperation and avoid conflict.
- Value consensus leads to shared goals, roles, and norms.
- Education fosters social solidarity and transmits societal norms and values.
- Family provides socialization, emotional security, and performs various functions.
- The government provides education, funded by taxes, contributing to societal stability.
- Religion strengthens social integration through shared values.
- Media influences public opinion and reflects cultural diversity.
- Power politics aims to achieve collective goals and maintain order.
**Critiques of Functionalism**:
- It encourages complacency and maintains the status quo.
- It does not promote active questioning of societal values and interests.
- It assumes that social change is undesirable.
- It may not account for multicultural societies.
- It may not address inequality in modern, socially stratified societies.
**Conflict Theory**:
- Conflict is inevitable due to varying access to resources.
- Wealthy/powerful groups exploit those with less power.
- Karl Marx is the intellectual founder of this theory.
- Social structures are shaped by different interests and resources.
- Class divisions in society are open to empirical questioning.
**Conflict Theory and Families**:
- Inequalities exist in wealth, power, and status within society.
