HED4809
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2025
, HED4809
Assignment 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 2025
Sociology of Education
1. Do you agree that the hidden curriculum primarily serves to maintain existing
social hierarchies, as argued by Conflict Theory? Why or why not? (2) a) Yes,
because it reinforces dominant cultural norms that sustain social inequalities.
b) No, because its primary function is to help students integrate into society by
understanding norms.
c) Yes, because it is deliberately structured to emphasize individual success over
community well-being.
d) No, because it solely focuses on academic learning without shaping societal
structures.
Answer: a
2. How does role differentiation influence the balance between social cohesion
and individualism in education? (2) a) It fosters unity by teaching students teamwork
and collective responsibility.
b) It promotes individuality by assigning distinct roles that may discourage collaboration.
c) It strikes a balance by helping students develop personal skills that contribute to
group success.
d) It has no effect on either social unity or personal development.
Answer: c
3. What factors would determine whether Robert Dreeben’s notion of
achievement is equally accessible to all students? (2) a) Examining if achievement
, is gauged primarily through standardized tests.
b) Evaluating whether all students have equitable access to resources necessary for
success.
c) Measuring whether students from diverse backgrounds feel encouraged to reach
academic goals.
d) Checking if students are assessed based on individual performance rather than
teamwork.
Answer: b
4. How valid is the interpretivist approach in revealing the implicit messages
within the hidden curriculum in diverse classrooms? (2) a) It is inadequate because
it relies only on numerical data.
b) It is effective because it prioritizes understanding students' perspectives and cultural
influences.
c) It is flawed as it overlooks structural factors that shape education.
d) It is irrelevant because it ignores standardized curriculum criteria.
Answer: b
5. How would you design a curriculum that balances political socialization with
the development of critical thinking, using Functionalist and Conflict Theory
perspectives? (2) a) By implementing role differentiation to encourage critical
examination of political and social systems.
b) By omitting political topics to emphasize neutral educational standards.
c) By discouraging questioning of existing political and social systems.
d) By relying solely on memorization of governmental structures.
Answer: a
6. What alternative to the hidden curriculum would align with Robert Dreeben’s
values of independence and specificity? (2) a) A standardized system that does not
accommodate individual learning differences.
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2025
, HED4809
Assignment 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 2025
Sociology of Education
1. Do you agree that the hidden curriculum primarily serves to maintain existing
social hierarchies, as argued by Conflict Theory? Why or why not? (2) a) Yes,
because it reinforces dominant cultural norms that sustain social inequalities.
b) No, because its primary function is to help students integrate into society by
understanding norms.
c) Yes, because it is deliberately structured to emphasize individual success over
community well-being.
d) No, because it solely focuses on academic learning without shaping societal
structures.
Answer: a
2. How does role differentiation influence the balance between social cohesion
and individualism in education? (2) a) It fosters unity by teaching students teamwork
and collective responsibility.
b) It promotes individuality by assigning distinct roles that may discourage collaboration.
c) It strikes a balance by helping students develop personal skills that contribute to
group success.
d) It has no effect on either social unity or personal development.
Answer: c
3. What factors would determine whether Robert Dreeben’s notion of
achievement is equally accessible to all students? (2) a) Examining if achievement
, is gauged primarily through standardized tests.
b) Evaluating whether all students have equitable access to resources necessary for
success.
c) Measuring whether students from diverse backgrounds feel encouraged to reach
academic goals.
d) Checking if students are assessed based on individual performance rather than
teamwork.
Answer: b
4. How valid is the interpretivist approach in revealing the implicit messages
within the hidden curriculum in diverse classrooms? (2) a) It is inadequate because
it relies only on numerical data.
b) It is effective because it prioritizes understanding students' perspectives and cultural
influences.
c) It is flawed as it overlooks structural factors that shape education.
d) It is irrelevant because it ignores standardized curriculum criteria.
Answer: b
5. How would you design a curriculum that balances political socialization with
the development of critical thinking, using Functionalist and Conflict Theory
perspectives? (2) a) By implementing role differentiation to encourage critical
examination of political and social systems.
b) By omitting political topics to emphasize neutral educational standards.
c) By discouraging questioning of existing political and social systems.
d) By relying solely on memorization of governmental structures.
Answer: a
6. What alternative to the hidden curriculum would align with Robert Dreeben’s
values of independence and specificity? (2) a) A standardized system that does not
accommodate individual learning differences.
