Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Chapter Eleven Education and Religion

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Theoretical Thumbnail: The Influence of Education PerspectiveFocusInsights Functionalist Positive functions of education Schools teach knowledge and skills, enhance social mobility, promote national unity, and provide custodial care of children. Conflict Social inequality and cultural imperialism Schools reinforce the existing inequality in society and impose the dominant group’s culture on minorities. Symbolic interactionist The power of teacher expectations Whether teachers expect students to do well or to do poorly, students will likely perform accordingly.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 How Education Raises Income

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Education in the U.S. The U.S. educational system has included growing numbers of poor, minority, and immigrant students. The U.S. educational system has included growing numbers of poor, minority, and immigrant students. Socially disadvantaged students do not do as well on SAT’s as socially advantaged students. Socially disadvantaged students do not do as well on SAT’s as socially advantaged students. Lack of parental support, social problems, and the adolescent subculture make it hard for U.S. schools to compete with other countries. Lack of parental support, social problems, and the adolescent subculture make it hard for U.S. schools to compete with other countries. While there may be problems in U.S. schools, for the most part, they are happy places staffed by caring adults. While there may be problems in U.S. schools, for the most part, they are happy places staffed by caring adults.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Education Reforms and Trends Head start—a program aimed to prepare poor, disadvantaged children for kindergarten. Definite long-term benefits. Head start—a program aimed to prepare poor, disadvantaged children for kindergarten. Definite long-term benefits. Vouchers—aims to create competition amongst schools. Used to pay for children’s attendance at parents’ school of choice. Vouchers—aims to create competition amongst schools. Used to pay for children’s attendance at parents’ school of choice. Homeschooling—huge rise in number of homeschoolers. Mixed success. Homeschooling—huge rise in number of homeschoolers. Mixed success. Lifelong learning—many more adults are going back to school to gain new qualifications. Lifelong learning—many more adults are going back to school to gain new qualifications.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Current Event: No Child Left Behind Government passed a law requiring states to test their public school students in reading and math every year from 3 rd -8 th grade and once in the four years of high school Government passed a law requiring states to test their public school students in reading and math every year from 3 rd -8 th grade and once in the four years of high school. Failure to do so would result in loss of federal funds for the schools. Failure to do so would result in loss of federal funds for the schools. Schools with students who fail the test 2 years in a row must offer the student a chance to transfer out to a better school; 3 years and they have to provide tutoring services; 4 years and they must restructure the whole school. Schools with students who fail the test 2 years in a row must offer the student a chance to transfer out to a better school; 3 years and they have to provide tutoring services; 4 years and they must restructure the whole school.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Social Diversity in U.S. Education Native Americans were forced to abandon traditional teaching and even today face discrimination. Native Americans were forced to abandon traditional teaching and even today face discrimination. Both white and black children are more likely to attend integrated schools than before. Both white and black children are more likely to attend integrated schools than before. Hispanic Americans are more likely to drop out of school than other groups. Hispanic Americans are more likely to drop out of school than other groups. Asian Americans have the highest educational achievement of any group. Asian Americans have the highest educational achievement of any group.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Theoretical Thumbnail: The Characteristics of Religion PerspectiveFocusInsights Functionalist Religion as a positive force By making society a symbol of God, religion maintains social order with social support, control, reform, and identity, but these positive functions, if carried too far, may turn negative. Conflict Religion as an oppressive illusion Religion supports the ruling class by justifying inequalities which, in turn, encourage the oppressed masses to seek solace from religion. Symbolic interactionist Religion as an ironical belief By suggesting that worldly success provided assurance of going to heaven, Calvinism encouraged the accumulation of wealth that led to the development of capitalism.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Religious Affiliations in the U.S.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Religion in the United States 95% of Americans believe in God 95% of Americans believe in God 90% pray 90% pray Over 280 religious denominations Over 280 religious denominations At 60%, Protestants are the largest group At 60%, Protestants are the largest group Only a small minority regularly attend religious services Only a small minority regularly attend religious services Most attend church for social rather than religious reasons Most attend church for social rather than religious reasons

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Diversity in U.S. Religion Generally, the higher the social class the more likely people are to attend church and Bible study groups. Generally, the higher the social class the more likely people are to attend church and Bible study groups. But belief in God is more widespread among the poor than the rich. But belief in God is more widespread among the poor than the rich. Religious involvement accelerates after the age of 25. Religious involvement accelerates after the age of 25. Native Americans have their own religions. Native Americans have their own religions. African Americans are more likely than whites to be church members. African Americans are more likely than whites to be church members.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Fundamentalist Revival Since the 1970s some of the established Christian churches (such as Methodist, Presbyterian, etc) have lost members. Since the 1970s some of the established Christian churches (such as Methodist, Presbyterian, etc) have lost members. However, smaller, evangelical and fundamentalist churches have increased membership However, smaller, evangelical and fundamentalist churches have increased membership Reasons: skillful TV ads, marketing, personal worship style, conservative trend in the US.Reasons: skillful TV ads, marketing, personal worship style, conservative trend in the US.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Proliferation of Cults Cult – a religious group that professes a new belief system, rejects society, and consists of members with extreme devotion to their leader. Heaven’s gate was a smaller cult whose 39 members committed mass suicide in Heaven’s gate was a smaller cult whose 39 members committed mass suicide in A larger and more successful cult is the Unification Church. Sun Myung Moon is founder. A larger and more successful cult is the Unification Church. Sun Myung Moon is founder. In his study of 100 cults, Levine found that cults provide young people with “desperate detours to growing up”. In his study of 100 cults, Levine found that cults provide young people with “desperate detours to growing up”.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 New Age Movement These followers believe that the divine resides in humanity. These followers believe that the divine resides in humanity. About 28,000 people are New Agers. About 28,000 people are New Agers. They do not have a coherent philosophy or dogma. They do not have a coherent philosophy or dogma. They are only interested in transforming themselves. They are only interested in transforming themselves. New Agers prefer to seek God in their own way, such as through meditation, rather than with the help of an organized religion. New Agers prefer to seek God in their own way, such as through meditation, rather than with the help of an organized religion.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 American Islam Most U.S. Muslims are not of Arab origin. In fact, a large majority of Arab Americans are Christian. Most U.S. Muslims are not of Arab origin. In fact, a large majority of Arab Americans are Christian. Muslims follow a strict code of ethics and diet. Muslims follow a strict code of ethics and diet. There is conflict between Muslim and Western culture though U.S. Muslims are generally more tolerant and resistant to fundamentalism than in other Muslim societies. There is conflict between Muslim and Western culture though U.S. Muslims are generally more tolerant and resistant to fundamentalism than in other Muslim societies.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Facing the Secular World: Confrontation or Compromise? Church and Sect   Church is a relatively large, well-established religious organization that is integrated into the society and does not make strict demands on its members.   The sect is a relatively small religious group that sets itself apart from society and makes heavy demands on its members.   Churches compromise with society; sects confront it.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Church and State In practice, the separation of church and state is far from complete. In practice, the separation of church and state is far from complete. The U.S. has no official religion. The U.S. has no official religion. In reality the State often gets involved in religion In reality the State often gets involved in religion e.g.: prohibiting Mormons from having more than one wifee.g.: prohibiting Mormons from having more than one wife Civil religion— a collection of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that sanctify the dominant values of a society. Belief is in a personal god. Civil religion— a collection of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that sanctify the dominant values of a society. Belief is in a personal god.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Global Analysis of Religion Theism—type of religion that centers on the worship of a god or gods Theism—type of religion that centers on the worship of a god or gods e.g.: Christianity, Islame.g.: Christianity, Islam Ethicalism—emphasizes moral principles as guides for living a religious life. Ethicalism—emphasizes moral principles as guides for living a religious life. e.g.: Buddhisme.g.: Buddhism Animism—a belief that spirits residing in humans, animals and plants can be manipulated to serve human ends Animism—a belief that spirits residing in humans, animals and plants can be manipulated to serve human ends e.g.: shamanism e.g.: shamanism

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Global Attitudes Toward Religion

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2009 Chapter review According to the functionalist perspective, what are the functions of education? According to the functionalist perspective, what are the functions of education? How is social diversity reflected in U.S. education? How is social diversity reflected in U.S. education? What are the characteristics of religion in the U.S.? What are the characteristics of religion in the U.S.? What is the basic difference between a church and a sect? What is the basic difference between a church and a sect? What kinds of religion can be found around the world? What kinds of religion can be found around the world?