1. SOCIOLOGY
Education

2. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Functionalist View
Manifest functions include:
Transmission of knowledge
Bestowal of status
Latent functions include:
Transmitting culture
Promoting social and political integration
Maintaining social control
Serving as agent of change

3. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Functionalist View
Transmitting Culture
Exposing young people to existing beliefs, norms, and values of their culture
Promoting Social and Political Integration
Common identity and social integration fostered by education contribute to societal stability and consensus

4. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Functionalist View
Maintaining Social Control
Schools teach students punctuality, discipline, scheduling, and responsible work habits, and how to negotiate through a bureaucratic organization
Serving as an Agent of Change
Schools serve as meeting ground where people can share distinctive beliefs and traditions

5. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Conflict View
Education is an instrument of elite domination
Schools socialize students into values dictated by the powerful

6. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Conflict View
The Hidden Curriculum
Standards of behavior deemed proper by society are taught subtly in schools
Credentialism
An increase in the lowest level of education needed to enter a field

7. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Conflict View
Bestowal of Status
Schools tend to preserve social class inequalities in each new generation
Schools can reinforce class differences by putting students in tracks
Correspondence Principle: schools promote the values expected of individuals in each social class and perpetuate social class divisions from one generation to the next
Tracking: practice of placing students in specific curriculum groups on basis of test scores and other criteria

8. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Conflict View
Treatment of Women in Education
The U.S educational system long characterized by discriminatory treatment of women

9. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Conflict View
Treatment of Women in Education
In 20th century, sexism in education included:
Stereotypes in textbooks
Pressure on women to study traditional women’s subjects
Unequal funding for men’s and women’s athletic programs
Employment bias for administrators and teachers

10. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Interactionist View
Labeling and self-fulfilling prophecy suggest if we treat people in particular ways, they may fulfill our expectations.
Teacher-Expectation Effect: impact of teacher expectations and their large role on student performance

11. Sociological Perspectives on Education
Figure Percentage of Adults Ages 25 to 64 Who Have Completed Higher Educations, Selected Countries, 2001
Sources: Bureau of the Census 2004a:851

12. Schools as Formal Organizations
Teachers: Employees and Instructors
Teachers’ academic assignments have become more specialized
Still must control social order
20% of new teachers quit within 3 years
Fewer students choose teaching as career due to perceived low income