Education and Religion CHAPTER 12

Education What is education? What is good? What is not so good? Does our society value education?

Perspectives Good? Not so good?

Perspectives Functionalist Conflict Symbolic Interactionism

Education The social institution responsible for the transmission of knowledge, skills, and cultural values within a formally organized structure. In all societies, people must acquire certain knowledge and skills in order to survive. In less-developed societies, this might include hunting, gathering, fishing and farming. In developed societies, knowledge and skills are related to the requirements of the job market.

Structure of Education In general, schools continue to follow a bureaucratic system. Known as formal schooling. Specialized skills are taught among the masses at various age levels. Teaching is impersonal…teachers develop one lesson plan. Tests and materials are standardized. Schools are part of a larger bureaucratic system. Federal government dictates much of the education process.

Sociological Perspectives on Education Functionalists suggest that education contributes to the maintenance of society and provides opportunity for upward social mobility. Conflict theorists argue that education perpetuates social inequality. Not truly a meritocracy… society based on achievement to determine status Symbolic interactionists focus on classroom dynamics and the effect of self-concept on grades and aspirations.

Manifest Functions of Education (Functionalist) Socialization Transmission of knowledge/culture Social control Social placement Change and innovation

Latent Functions of Education (Functionalist) Restricting some activities. Matchmaking and production of social networks. Creating a generation gap.

Tracking and Social Inequality (Conflict) Tracking is the practice of assigning students to specific groups based on their test scores, previous grades, or other criteria. Conflict theorists believe tracking affects educational performance and overall academic accomplishments. Provides better opportunities and life chances.

Hidden Curriculum (Symbolic) The hidden curriculum consists of the nonacademic agenda that teaches discipline, order, cooperativeness, and conformity. Much of the hidden curriculum is fostered with textbooks. Are they biased? Do they affect socialization? The hidden curriculum is important for future success (provides an education in culture).

Unequal Funding of Public Schools State and local governments contribute about 47% each toward education and the federal government pays the remaining 6%. Results in “rich” and “poor” school districts.

Alternatives to Formal Schooling Classroom reform idealists believe that the classroom should be student centered. Open classroom…an approach that removes authoritarian, standardized approach and does not promote competition. Cooperative learning…students work together and control their learning. Integrative curriculum…students and teachers work together to design the curriculum. The design usually incorporates many different content areas.

Back to the Basics A movement in education that stresses the return of: Standardized testing Standardized curriculum Strict codes of conduct Longer school days Increased homework at the high school level Concentration on core subjects

Alternatives to Public School Voucher system…parents receive the amount spent per pupil from the government and they can choose the school their child attends. Charter schools…public schools operated like private schools. Teachers and administrators design curriculum Alternative methods included Magnet schools…schools that specialize in a certain area. For profit schools…privatization of schools.

NCLB No Child Left Behind Act: States create their own set of standards. States will test student's progress towards those standards. Yearly progress is expected. Districts must report their results. Schools will be held accountable and could lose funding.

Race to the Top National Testing? States get funding based on: Their achievement Common Core Standards Districts design APPR that aligns with requirements

Dropping Out Dropout Rates: Latinos/(Hispanics) - 40% African Americans – 20% Whites – 10% Asian Americans - 1%

Religion

Religion Religion is a system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals, based on some sacred or supernatural realm that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a community. Religion serves as a major agent of socialization as well as a social institution. Religion fulfills needs for groups and individuals that all social institutions do not.

Religion and the Meaning of Life Religion seeks to answer important questions such as why we exist, why people suffer and die, and what happens when we die. Religion seeks to explain suffering, death, and injustice in the realm of the sacred. Things that people do not set apart as sacred (religious) are referred to as profane—the everyday, secular or “worldly” aspects of life.

Secularization and Fundamentalism Secularization…process through which the sacred loses influence over society. Secular humanism…people achieve perfection and morality through their own efforts and beliefs. Fundamentalism… the resistance of secularization and the rigid adherence to traditional religious beliefs, rituals, and doctrines.

Four Categories of Religion Simple supernaturalism - the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives positively or negatively. Is it fate and destiny? Animism - the belief that plants, animals, and elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits that impact events in society.

Four Categories of Religion Theism - belief in a God or Gods. Transcendent idealism - belief in sacred principles of thought and conduct, such as truth, justice, life and tolerance for others. These drive one’s behavior and ideals

Functionalist Perspective Religion has 3 functions: Providing meaning and purpose to life. Promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging. Providing social control and support for the government.

Conflict Perspective According to Karl Marx, religion is the “opiate of the masses.” Religion calms the senses. The poor will be rewarded with an afterlife. False consciousness of sharing interests with the dominant class Believed religion slowed social change. Max Weber argued that religion could be a catalyst to produce social change. People will work to achieve salvation. Calvinists and the Protestant Ethic

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Religion serves as a reference group to help people define themselves. Women’s versions of a certain religion usually differ from men’s versions.

Church A church is a large, bureaucratically organized religious organization that seeks accommodation with the larger society in order to maintain some degree of control over it. Keeps organization within the faith. Provides service to its members. Unites and promotes membership.

Sects and Cults Sects are relatively small religious groups that have broken away from another religious organization to reestablish their original view of the faith. Intolerant of other institutes and religions Cleansing of their faith Cults are mostly religious groups with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of society. Somewhat like a counterculture Authoritarian leadership