The Sociological Analysis of Education Intent: We are learning to use sociological theories to analyze and explain the role of schools in Canadian society.

Reflection Assignment #1 “We create society at the same time as we are created by it.” Anthony Gidden Illustrate this quote through words, drawing, models… Create an analogy to describe school. Create an analogy to describe society. Society is like…

Who’s who in society and school. 1. Who are the main characters in school? In society? 2. What powers exist in school? In society? Who controls this power? 3. What factors influence success in school? In society? 4. Who is ‘included’? Who is ‘excluded’? Who is well respected? Who is not well respected? 5. What similarities do you notice between school and society? What differences do you notice between school and society?

Learning the Student Role Socialization “is the term used to name the lifelong process by which people learn the ways of their communities.” “The first important agency of socialization is the family where young children learn language, basic social skills, and the values of their culture. But in all modern industrial societies, children experience another major agency of socialization: the school.” Education “consists of a methodical socialization of the younger generation.”

Social Theory “All theory is an attempt to enhance our ability to understand aspects of the social and natural worlds, and all research is conducted as part of an effort to provide us with information that tells us something about what those worlds are like” (Wotherspoon, 9) We are looking to; -provide perspective, -offers a lens through which to view society and human interactions, -form questions to deepen understanding Unlike a scientific theorem social theory does not explain everything

Émile Durkheim (1858-1917) Industrial and political revolutions opened new social orders that broke from tradition. A rise in Individualism – develop individual talents and capacities to the fullest extent. Religion? http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/personnage/%C3%89mile_Durkheim/117481 Trust and communication were needed guidelines for social interactions. “The means by which society perpetually re-creates the conditions of its very existence” (Durkheim, Education and Society) “all education is a continuous effort to impose on the child ways of seeing, feeling and acting at which he (or she) would not have arrived spontaneously” (Durkheim, The Division of Labour in Society).

Social cohesion – healthy society was the ultimate goal. Schools should offer a moral education that would fill students with the core values and virtues of society; a system of rules and actions, to act in the collective (society) interest (social responsibility), a clear reason for our conduct.

Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) Industrialization has created differences in wealth Inequality and class struggle are key to understanding society, Capitalist society – wealth (capital) dictates societal organization, Those who own factories, offices and businesses (capital) are the most powerful/ruling class, The ideas, values, beliefs of each age have been the ideas of its ruling class (Marx and Engels, 1969) Schools promote the ideas of the ruling classe, education-workplace fit, Schools are factories where children are transformed into simple articles of commerce and instruments of labour (Marx and Engels, 1969) Social change would be driven only by the economy and those who control it, Schools sustain and legitimize the inequalities in society.

Max Weber The historical presence of religion was declining as science became more economically important, everything could be explained (rationalization), Science could justify the expansion of mass schooling (informed citizenship), Schools became a mechanism for children to acquire skills and abilities, train experts, specialized exams, selection, McDonaldization (Ritzer 2000)–fast, efficient, reproducible, technical = superiority, Bureaucracy – administrative structures with predetermined steps to predetermined solutions, limit creativity and freedom. Merit = promotion, ‘special examinations mean or appear to mean a “selection of those who qualify from all social strata.”

Week 2 Assignment Options - DO 1 Conduct a learning audit – what lessons did you see students/adults learning today? or What are the most memorable lessons you learned in elementary school? Middle school? and/or High School? Do you consider these memorable lessons to also be the most valuable lessons you learned? Unequal Childhoods Chapter 1 http://www.ucpress.edu/content/chapters/9987001.ch01.pdf