ESC3701 Assignment 2 (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2024

This document contains workings, explanations and solutions to the ESC3701 Assignment 2 (QUALITY ANSWERS) 2024. For assistance call or us on 0.6.8..8.1.2..0.9.3.4..... QUESTION 1 26 From a sociological point of view, education fulfils a number of functions. Provide a brief explanation of how the function ‘activation of constructive and creative forces’ can be understood. (10) QUESTION 2 Talcott Parsons elaborates on how society functions as a system, and thus creates balance and equilibrium. With the above in mind, briefly explain Parsons’s view on the fundamental premises of functionalism. (10) QUESTION 3 Conflict Theorists have identified certain assumptions as being evident in the foundation of conflict theory. Briefly elaborate on the assumptions of conflict theory. (10) QUESTION 4 Symbolic interactionism has been associated with family studies since the 1920s. Briefly discuss in your own words how this theory is applied to family studies. (10) QUESTION 5 Social institutions can be understood as established sub-systems that satisfy the basic needs of society. Each institution has different responsibilities that contribute to the overall functioning and stability of society. Briefly explain the role of religion and the economy as social institutions. (10) QUESTION 6 A healthy school ecology reflects the school’s own unique character and is an extremely powerful force that can exert either a positive or a negative influence on the school community. Briefly elaborate on the distinctive features of the school ecology as argued by Botha (2002). (10) ESC3701/101/0/2024 27 QUESTION 7 Read the case study ‘The dilemma of first- and third-world education systems’ (page 47 of the prescribed textbook), and answer the following questions: • If you were Katlego, how would you improve the South African national school system? [5] • How would you overcome the differences evident in the functioning of first- and third-world schools? [5] (10) QUESTION 8 The citizenship education programme in post-apartheid South Africa provides valuable opportunities for teaching about citizenship in schools and beyond. Argue this point in detail and indicate whether this programme is adequate in producing active, patriotic and global (cosmopolitan) citizens. (10) QUESTION 9 Define the concept ‘social stratification’ and briefly explain the two characteristic criteria that form the basis of social stratification. (10) QUESTION 10 Gender is the socially learnt expectations and behaviours associated with members of each sex (Anderson & Taylor 2009). Based on the above statement, briefly analyse how the symbolic interactionists and functionalists regard and apply the concept of gender in society. (10)