SED2601
EXAM PACK
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MODULE +27 67 171 1739
,SED2601 OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2025 EXAM MEMO
Question 1
Sociology of Education mainly focuses on schools and their relationship with:
A. nature
B. children
C. society
D. globalisation
Explanation: It studies how schooling connects to social structures, norms, and
power in society.
Question 2
At a macro level, Sociology of Education examines:
A. teacher–learner interactions
B. individual learner achievement only
C. large social forces like economics and culture shaping schools
D. how principals treat learners
Explanation: Macro analysis focuses on broad social systems influencing schooling.
Question 3
Functionalism argues that social institutions (family, school, economy) are:
A. separate and independent
B. irrelevant to each other
C. interdependent parts that maintain social order
D. always harmful
Explanation: Functionalists see institutions as working together to keep society
stable.
Question 4
Two major functionalist theorists are:
A. Bowles and Gintis
B. Marx and Lenin
C. Durkheim and Parsons
D. Blackledge and Hunt
,Explanation: Durkheim and Parsons are key functionalist figures in education and
society.
Question 5
Merton’s “latent functions” are best described as:
A. intentional and obvious outcomes
B. unintentional, not obvious outcomes
C. only formal curriculum outcomes
D. outcomes that reject social norms
Explanation: Latent functions are hidden consequences of institutions like schools.
Question 6
Functionalists emphasise:
A. social solidarity
B. shared public values
C. consensus
D. A, B and C
Explanation: Functionalism stresses shared values and cohesion to maintain
stability.
Question 7
A common criticism of functionalism is that it:
A. rejects social order
B. encourages disorder in schools
C. is too critical of capitalism
D. does not question inequality and stratification sufficiently
Explanation: Critics say it normalises inequality by focusing on stability.
Question 8
Conflict theory maintains that:
A. inequality is inevitable in capitalism
B. society is in constant conflict and change
C. some groups hold more power than others
D. A, B and C
Explanation: Conflict theory highlights power struggles and unequal resources.
, Question 9
Conflict theory is mainly associated with:
A. microsociology only
B. conservatism
C. a macrosociological perspective
D. biology
Explanation: It analyses large structures like class, race, and power systems.
Question 10
Conflict theorists argue schools:
A. perpetuate inequality
B. reproduce social class outcomes
C. blame individuals for failure
D. A and B
Explanation: Conflict theory focuses on structural reproduction, not individual
blame.
Question 11
C. Wright Mills argues conflict exists due to:
A. unequal distribution of resources and power
B. society being naturally equal
C. schools being neutral
D. religion being irrelevant
Explanation: Mills highlights the “power elite” controlling major institutions.
Question 12
A criticism of conflict theory is that it can be:
A. too optimistic about schools
B. deterministic and underplays human agency
C. anti-learning and anti-education
D. only micro-based
Explanation: Critics say it sometimes ignores people’s ability to resist structures.
Question 13
Symbolic interactionism focuses on:
A. the bigger picture only
EXAM PACK
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MODULE +27 67 171 1739
,SED2601 OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2025 EXAM MEMO
Question 1
Sociology of Education mainly focuses on schools and their relationship with:
A. nature
B. children
C. society
D. globalisation
Explanation: It studies how schooling connects to social structures, norms, and
power in society.
Question 2
At a macro level, Sociology of Education examines:
A. teacher–learner interactions
B. individual learner achievement only
C. large social forces like economics and culture shaping schools
D. how principals treat learners
Explanation: Macro analysis focuses on broad social systems influencing schooling.
Question 3
Functionalism argues that social institutions (family, school, economy) are:
A. separate and independent
B. irrelevant to each other
C. interdependent parts that maintain social order
D. always harmful
Explanation: Functionalists see institutions as working together to keep society
stable.
Question 4
Two major functionalist theorists are:
A. Bowles and Gintis
B. Marx and Lenin
C. Durkheim and Parsons
D. Blackledge and Hunt
,Explanation: Durkheim and Parsons are key functionalist figures in education and
society.
Question 5
Merton’s “latent functions” are best described as:
A. intentional and obvious outcomes
B. unintentional, not obvious outcomes
C. only formal curriculum outcomes
D. outcomes that reject social norms
Explanation: Latent functions are hidden consequences of institutions like schools.
Question 6
Functionalists emphasise:
A. social solidarity
B. shared public values
C. consensus
D. A, B and C
Explanation: Functionalism stresses shared values and cohesion to maintain
stability.
Question 7
A common criticism of functionalism is that it:
A. rejects social order
B. encourages disorder in schools
C. is too critical of capitalism
D. does not question inequality and stratification sufficiently
Explanation: Critics say it normalises inequality by focusing on stability.
Question 8
Conflict theory maintains that:
A. inequality is inevitable in capitalism
B. society is in constant conflict and change
C. some groups hold more power than others
D. A, B and C
Explanation: Conflict theory highlights power struggles and unequal resources.
, Question 9
Conflict theory is mainly associated with:
A. microsociology only
B. conservatism
C. a macrosociological perspective
D. biology
Explanation: It analyses large structures like class, race, and power systems.
Question 10
Conflict theorists argue schools:
A. perpetuate inequality
B. reproduce social class outcomes
C. blame individuals for failure
D. A and B
Explanation: Conflict theory focuses on structural reproduction, not individual
blame.
Question 11
C. Wright Mills argues conflict exists due to:
A. unequal distribution of resources and power
B. society being naturally equal
C. schools being neutral
D. religion being irrelevant
Explanation: Mills highlights the “power elite” controlling major institutions.
Question 12
A criticism of conflict theory is that it can be:
A. too optimistic about schools
B. deterministic and underplays human agency
C. anti-learning and anti-education
D. only micro-based
Explanation: Critics say it sometimes ignores people’s ability to resist structures.
Question 13
Symbolic interactionism focuses on:
A. the bigger picture only
