1. CHAPTER 14 Education and Religion

2. Objectives:
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
How do the views of functionalist, conflict, and interactionist sociologists differ concerning education?
What are some of the current issues in American education?

3. Defining Education
Education – consists of the roles and norms that ensure transmission of knowledge, values, and behavior from one generation to the next
In some small preindustrial societies, education largely
informal; focuses mainly on socialization
Formal education(what we have in the U.S.) is known
as schooling; education by “specially trained” teachers who follow recognized policies

4. Functionalist Perspective of Education
Schools help maintain the stability and smooth operation of society
Teaching knowledge & skills(through core curriculum)
Transmitting culture(after family, school is primary)
Social integration
Occupational placement

5. Conflict Perspective of Education
Educational system serves to limit the potential of certain people and groups to gain power and social rewards
Social control
Tracking(inequality through class assignment)
Education & socioeconomic status – Conflict Theorists argue that opportunities for success are distributed unequally)
Limits potential growth of certain groups

6. Interactionist Perspective of Education
Students’ educational achievements & success are shaped in LARGE part by teacher-student interactions
Self-fulfilling prophecy? Once student believes they are intellectually inferior or superior, they will behave in ways that confirm that belief

7. Recap!
Functionalist Perspective: Education maintains social stability by transmitting culture, teaching knowledge and skills, and prepping individuals for the work environment
Conflict Perspective: Education perpetuates a social system that limits potential of certain individuals and groups to gain social rewards and power
Interactionist Perspective: Face-to-face interactions between students and teachers profoundly affect student educational achievement

8. Section 2: Issues in American Education
Objectives:
Section 2: Issues in American Education
What are some of the current issues in American education?
Educational Alternatives
Violence in the Schools
Bilingual Education

9. Current Issues in American Education?
Sociology
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Current Issues in American Education?
Educational Reform – to address a decline in the level of the quality of education; has led to some changes
NCLB: 2001 Act required by each state to deliver standards based testing every year; ties federal school funding on test success
Charter Schools: funded with public money, privately operated and run; uses lottery system, uniforms, parental volunteering is mandatory, recruiting, don’t always hire best teachers
Homeschooling: positives and negatives?
Scholar Diane Ravitch: 'We've lost sight' of schools' goal
Chapter 14

10. Violence in Schools
has led to the use of security measures; zero tolerance policies & conflict-resolution programs
30% of students have experienced bulling in last 6 months

11. 1999 Columbine High School Tragedy
2 students at Columbine H.S. in Littleton, Colorado shot and killed a teacher, 12 students and wounded more than 20 others before killing themselves

12. Bilingual Education
Bilingual Education – controversial, particularly in states with many Hispanics; has led to “English Only” movements
Opposed by those who believe it interferes with cultural assimiliation

13. Assignment #1 for 4th Quarter
Write a journal entry about a time when you were a target of a bully or violence at school. You can also write about a time when you witnessed a bully or violence, if you’d prefer.
This should be at least two full paragraphs. Do NOT share the story with anyone else, just yet.

14. Section 3 and 4: The Sociology of Religion Objectives:
9/10/2018
Section 3 and 4: The Sociology of Religion
Objectives:
What are basic societal needs served by religion?
What are the distinctive features of religion in American society?
e.g. Hindus regard cow as sacred; Christians regard certain “wafers” as holy
Chapter 14

15. Sociological Definition of Religion :
Sociology
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Sociological Definition of Religion :
Religion: system of roles and norms organized around a sacred realm that binds people together in social groups
according to sociologists:
religion is a social creation
objects take on sacred meaning only when a group of believers socially defines them as sacred
Sacred is anything considered to be part of the supernatural world that inspires awe, respect & reverence
Functions of Religion :
Social Cohesion
Social Control
Emotional Support
e.g. Hindus regard cow as sacred; Christians regard certain “wafers” as holy
Chapter 14

16. Functions of Religion: Social Cohesion
strengthening of bonds among people

17. Functions of Religion: Social Control
encourages conformity to the norms of society

18. Functions of Religion: Emotional Support
to provide emotional support during difficult times

19. All religions contain certain basic elements
The Nature of Religion
All religions contain certain basic elements
Rituals and symbols
Belief systems
Organizational structures

20. Rituals
behaviors through which believers experience the sacred; vary greatly worldwide
Often mark changes in status
Birth, marriage, death
Unite believers
Reinforce faith

21. Symbols
Clothing, herbs, chalices, crosses, books, other religious symbols
Often used only on special days or special places to emphasize sacred character

22. Belief Systems
Shamanism Spirits communicate with one person (shaman). Shamans can heal sick, predict future.
ANIMISM: Spirits active in influencing human life but not worshipped. Rituals thank or win spirits’ good will.
ETHICALISM: Based on set of moral principles with sacred quality.
THEISM: Belief in god or gods. God is divine power worthy of worship.
Totemism Kinship between humans and animals/natural objects—totems
Monotheism Belief in one god; Examples: Judaism, Islam, Christianity; organized structure, priesthood, rituals
Polytheism Multiple gods; Example: Hinduism; usually one powerful god and lesser gods
Involve meditation and purity of thought and action; Examples: Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism

23. Four Types of Organizational Structures
Ecclesia
Denominations
Sects
Cults

24. Basically a state church, closely allied with government
High structured, powerful bureaucracy
Formal worship ceremonies
Intolerant of differences(USUALLY); membership a matter of law
A few ecclesiae exist in the world today, including:
Islam in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations
Catholic Church in Spain
Lutheran Church in Sweden
Anglican Church in England

25. Denominations
Well established, substantial number of population are members
Bureaucratic; trained officials
Tend to be tolerant – right to your own beliefs
Many born into, many converts

26. Sects Relatively small, usually split from another denomination
Often intolerant, tend to claim their way is the only way
Tend to be hostile toward existing power structure – viewed as corrupt & worldly
Ceremonies often encourage emotional displays
E.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hassidic Jews

27. Sociology
9/10/2018
Cults
New religion; beliefs/practices markedly different from society’s major religions
Leaders
Often based on revelations/visions
typically charismatic; appear extraordinary, even supernatural(Not to worry, kids; although I fit the criteria, I do not run a cult)
Followers
as attracted to leader as to message; disillusioned by traditional religion/life in general
May reject society, family and friends upon joining
Most are short lived – too different to be accepted
E.g., Jonestown, Heaven’s Gate, Manson Family
Chapter 14

28. Heaven’s Gate Suicide Jonestown Massacre Sociology 9/10/2018
(CNN) -- …The 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult who took their own lives…The cult members committed suicide over a few days in late March They died in shifts, with some members helping others take a lethal cocktail of phenobarbital and vodka before downing their own doses of the fatal mixture. Police found an eerily placid and orderly scene on March 26.
Heaven's Gate members believed that Hale-Bopp, an unusually bright comet, was the sign that they were supposed to shed their earthly bodies (or "containers") and join a spacecraft traveling behind the comet that would take them to a higher plane of existence.
…the Jonestown commune massacre of almost 1,000 men, women and children at the People’s Temple in Jonestown, British Guyana…Nov. 18, The leader …was Jim Jones, their misbegotten savior. Congressman Leo J. Ryan and four members of his investigatory party were shot as they tried to board a plane at Port Kaitua airstrip. 
Chapter 14

29. Religion in American Society
Sociology
9/10/2018
Religion in American Society
Free from persecution
Culturally diverse
Highly valued but religious organizations may be losing influence(we are becoming more secular)
14.4
Chapter 14

30. Separation of Church and State

32. Religion in American Society
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Religion in American Society
Separation of church and state
Many believe in God but fewer are affiliated with religious organizations and even fewer attend services

33. Religious Affiliation
Sociology
9/10/2018
Religious Affiliation
Many believe in God (90%)
fewer affiliated with religious organizations (66%)
even fewer attend services
Most Americans are monotheistic
Chapter 14

34. Religious Participation
Sociology
Religious Participation
9/10/2018
Rising participation in fundamentalist & evangelical Christian groups
More consistent among women, African Americans and older citizens
More Catholics attend services > Protestants or Jews
Attendance ≠ religious
American society is becoming more secular
Norman Rockwell painting
Chapter 14

35. Religion in American Society
Sociology
Religion in American Society
9/10/2018
Protestants are most numerous
Roman Catholic Church is the largest single organization
Chapter 14

36. Other Belief Systems Agnostic Atheist (merriam-webster.com)
Sociology
9/10/2018
Other Belief Systems
Agnostic
(merriam-webster.com)
Atheist
(merriam-webster.com)
a person who does not have a definite belief about whether God exists or not
a person who believes that there is no deity
Chapter 14

37. Fundamentalist Christianity
Mainstream membership
Fundamentalist & Evangelical membership
Some Fundamentalists are becoming “selective separatists”
What?

38. Fundamentalist Evangelical 5 points: 4 primary characteristics:
Sociology
9/10/2018
Fundamentalist
Evangelical
5 points:
Literal interpretation of scripture
divinity of Jesus Christ
virgin birth
physical resurrection and bodily return of Christ
4 primary characteristics:
Conversionism: lives need to be transformed through a "born- again" experience and a life long process of following Jesus.
Activism: expression and demonstration of the gospel in missionary and social reform efforts
Biblicism: high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the ultimate authority
Crucicentrism: stresses Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as making possible the redemption of humanity
Chapter 14