,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)
Sociology of education is the study of how education as a
social institution influences and is influenced by other social
institutions and individual experiences. It examines the ways
education contributes to social development, norms, and
inequalities.
1.2 What is the meaning of the word ‘education’? (2)
Education refers to the process through which individuals
acquire knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. It includes
both formal schooling and informal learning that help shape a
person's development and integration into society.
, 1.3 Explain the following concepts:
a) Meritocracy (1)
A system where individuals achieve success based on their
talents, efforts, and achievements rather than their social
background.
b) Social class (1)
A group of people with similar economic status, income,
education level, and social standing in society.
c) Solidarity (1)
A sense of unity and mutual support within a society or group,
often resulting from shared values and beliefs.
d) Micro-sociological approach (1)
Focuses on small-scale interactions between individuals, such
as classroom behavior or teacher-learner relationships.
e) Macro-sociological approach (1)
Examines large-scale social processes and institutions, such as
the education system, economic structures, and cultural
norms.
1.4 How could the assimilation and the transmission of culture
and traditions be achieved in the classroom? (6)
Incorporating indigenous knowledge and languages in the
curriculum.
Celebrating cultural events and national holidays.
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)
Sociology of education is the study of how education as a
social institution influences and is influenced by other social
institutions and individual experiences. It examines the ways
education contributes to social development, norms, and
inequalities.
1.2 What is the meaning of the word ‘education’? (2)
Education refers to the process through which individuals
acquire knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. It includes
both formal schooling and informal learning that help shape a
person's development and integration into society.
, 1.3 Explain the following concepts:
a) Meritocracy (1)
A system where individuals achieve success based on their
talents, efforts, and achievements rather than their social
background.
b) Social class (1)
A group of people with similar economic status, income,
education level, and social standing in society.
c) Solidarity (1)
A sense of unity and mutual support within a society or group,
often resulting from shared values and beliefs.
d) Micro-sociological approach (1)
Focuses on small-scale interactions between individuals, such
as classroom behavior or teacher-learner relationships.
e) Macro-sociological approach (1)
Examines large-scale social processes and institutions, such as
the education system, economic structures, and cultural
norms.
1.4 How could the assimilation and the transmission of culture
and traditions be achieved in the classroom? (6)
Incorporating indigenous knowledge and languages in the
curriculum.
Celebrating cultural events and national holidays.
