,SED2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS
2025 (209428) - DUE 25 June 2025
Question 1 1.1 Define the sociology of education. (2) 1.2 What
is the meaning of the word ‘education’? (2) 1.3 Explain the
following concepts: a) Meritocracy (1) b) Social class (1) c)
Solidarity (1) d) Micro-sociological approach (1) e) Macro-
sociological approach (1) 1.4 The assimilation and the
transmission of culture and traditions is one of the functions of
the sociology of education. How could this aim be achieved in
the classroom? (6) 1.5 What are the criticisms of functionalism
theory? (5) [20]
Question 2 2.1 Discuss how conflict theory applies to families.
(6) 2.2 Explain the role of the family as a social institution. (4)
2.3 What are the assumptions about the theory of symbolic
interactionism? (5) SED2601 Assessment 2 2.4 Discuss the
criticisms of functionalism theory. (5) [20]
Question 3 3.1 What is the role of families according to
functionalism theory? (4) 3.2 Explain the assumptions about
conflict theory. (6) 3.3 Discuss the concept of social placement.
(6) 3.4 Explain the role of government in society according to
functionalism theory. (4) [20]
Question 4 4.1 There are different types of social institutions.
Discuss the governments and political structures as social
institutions. (6) 4.2 Explain the concept socialisation. (5) 4.3
,Explain the norm of universalism. (4) 4.4 Discuss functionalism
theory on schooling. . (5) [20]
Question 5 5.1 Explain the role of religion as a social institution.
(5) 5.2 Discuss the school climate and include examples. (5) 5.3
According to Bronfenbrenner, what is the microsystem? Include
examples. (3) 5.4 According to Bronfenbrenner, what is the
mesosystem? Give examples (3) 5.5 Define the concept “hidden
curriculum”. (2) (2) 5.6 What is meant by “socialism”? (2)
SED2601 Assessment 2 [20] TOTAL: [100]
Question 1 [20 marks]
1.1 Define the sociology of education. (2)
The sociology of education is the study of how education as a
social institution affects individuals and society, including how
social institutions and individual experiences influence
education and its outcomes.
1.2 What is the meaning of the word ‘education’? (2)
Education refers to the process through which knowledge,
values, skills, and cultural norms are transmitted from one
generation to another, preparing individuals to participate
effectively in society.
1.3 Explain the following concepts:
, a) Meritocracy (1)
A system where individuals are rewarded based on their
abilities and achievements rather than their social
background.
b) Social class (1)
A group of people with similar socio-economic status,
determined by factors like income, education, and occupation.
c) Solidarity (1)
A sense of unity and shared purpose among members of a
group or society, often promoted through common values and
beliefs.
d) Micro-sociological approach (1)
A perspective that focuses on small-scale, individual or group
interactions and how they shape social realities.
e) Macro-sociological approach (1)
A broad perspective that analyzes large-scale social processes
such as institutions, systems, and social structures.
1.4 The assimilation and the transmission of culture and
traditions is one of the functions of the sociology of education.
How could this aim be achieved in the classroom? (6)
Incorporating cultural history and heritage into the
curriculum.
Using indigenous languages and stories to promote
identity.
2025 (209428) - DUE 25 June 2025
Question 1 1.1 Define the sociology of education. (2) 1.2 What
is the meaning of the word ‘education’? (2) 1.3 Explain the
following concepts: a) Meritocracy (1) b) Social class (1) c)
Solidarity (1) d) Micro-sociological approach (1) e) Macro-
sociological approach (1) 1.4 The assimilation and the
transmission of culture and traditions is one of the functions of
the sociology of education. How could this aim be achieved in
the classroom? (6) 1.5 What are the criticisms of functionalism
theory? (5) [20]
Question 2 2.1 Discuss how conflict theory applies to families.
(6) 2.2 Explain the role of the family as a social institution. (4)
2.3 What are the assumptions about the theory of symbolic
interactionism? (5) SED2601 Assessment 2 2.4 Discuss the
criticisms of functionalism theory. (5) [20]
Question 3 3.1 What is the role of families according to
functionalism theory? (4) 3.2 Explain the assumptions about
conflict theory. (6) 3.3 Discuss the concept of social placement.
(6) 3.4 Explain the role of government in society according to
functionalism theory. (4) [20]
Question 4 4.1 There are different types of social institutions.
Discuss the governments and political structures as social
institutions. (6) 4.2 Explain the concept socialisation. (5) 4.3
,Explain the norm of universalism. (4) 4.4 Discuss functionalism
theory on schooling. . (5) [20]
Question 5 5.1 Explain the role of religion as a social institution.
(5) 5.2 Discuss the school climate and include examples. (5) 5.3
According to Bronfenbrenner, what is the microsystem? Include
examples. (3) 5.4 According to Bronfenbrenner, what is the
mesosystem? Give examples (3) 5.5 Define the concept “hidden
curriculum”. (2) (2) 5.6 What is meant by “socialism”? (2)
SED2601 Assessment 2 [20] TOTAL: [100]
Question 1 [20 marks]
1.1 Define the sociology of education. (2)
The sociology of education is the study of how education as a
social institution affects individuals and society, including how
social institutions and individual experiences influence
education and its outcomes.
1.2 What is the meaning of the word ‘education’? (2)
Education refers to the process through which knowledge,
values, skills, and cultural norms are transmitted from one
generation to another, preparing individuals to participate
effectively in society.
1.3 Explain the following concepts:
, a) Meritocracy (1)
A system where individuals are rewarded based on their
abilities and achievements rather than their social
background.
b) Social class (1)
A group of people with similar socio-economic status,
determined by factors like income, education, and occupation.
c) Solidarity (1)
A sense of unity and shared purpose among members of a
group or society, often promoted through common values and
beliefs.
d) Micro-sociological approach (1)
A perspective that focuses on small-scale, individual or group
interactions and how they shape social realities.
e) Macro-sociological approach (1)
A broad perspective that analyzes large-scale social processes
such as institutions, systems, and social structures.
1.4 The assimilation and the transmission of culture and
traditions is one of the functions of the sociology of education.
How could this aim be achieved in the classroom? (6)
Incorporating cultural history and heritage into the
curriculum.
Using indigenous languages and stories to promote
identity.
