Table of Contents - Education and Sociology

The New Right perspective on education emphasizes:

• A focus on traditional values and standards.

• The importance of student-centered learning.

• The role of technology in modern education.

• The need for increased government intervention.

Which of the following are outside factors affecting gender differences in education?

• Cultural norms and stereotypes

• Government policies

• Economic conditions

• All of the above

Evaluation of Marxist view of education: Giroux (1984) is a neo-marxist and disagrees with the traditional Marxist approach. He argues pupils are not as passive as people think and do rebel against being disciplined in school. Functionalists would disagree with Marxists and would argue that ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Interactionists would agree that working class pupils are at a disadvantage in the education system but would argue this is due to labelling as evidenced by ___________________________ Postmodernists would disagree that social class has a significant impact on attainment and see it as irrelevant in a postmodern world _______________________________________________

• Functionalists would disagree with Marxists and would argue that ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Interactionists would agree that working class pupils are at a disadvantage in the education system but would argue this is due to labelling as evidenced by ___________________________ Postmodernists would disagree that social class has a significant impact on attainment and see it as irrelevant in a postmodern world _______________________________________________

• Functionalists believe education serves to integrate individuals into society, promoting social solidarity.

• Interactionists focus on the micro-level of classroom interactions and the impact of teacher expectations.

• Postmodernists argue that education is a diverse and fragmented experience, reflecting a pluralistic society.

Match the type of feminist to the descriptions below.

• Most feminists think that gender is the most important division/conflict in society, but this group also see social class as a key factor.

• Working-class feminism

• Working-class women are exploited by both patriarchy and capitalism.

• Radical feminism

• The experience of being a black woman, it maintains, cannot be grasped in terms of being black or of being a woman, but how these factors compound upon and reinforce one another.

• Liberal feminism

• Holds that the experience of some women gives rise to a particular understanding of their position in relation to sexism, class oppression, and racism.

• Black feminism

Bedroom culture (McRobbie) may have a positive impact on girl’s attainment because:

• It encourages academic discussions among girls.

• It isolates girls from educational opportunities.

• It promotes a focus on non-academic activities.

• It discourages collaboration and teamwork.

Interactionists would agree that there is a gender difference in education but would argue this is due to labelling as evidenced by ________________.

• Beck

• Becker

• Bourne

• Bourdieu

Define the term 'differential attainment'.

• A measure of the difference in educational outcomes among different groups.

• A term used to describe equal educational achievements.

• A concept related to financial gains in education.

• A method for assessing student satisfaction.

Define the term 'cultural capital' from your Marxism lessons.

• A form of social assets that include education, intellect, style of speech, and dress.

• The economic resources one gains from being part of a network of social relationships.

• The physical objects that are owned by a person or group.

• The political power held by a ruling class.

According to the Functionalist perspective, the primary role of education is to:

• Promote social solidarity and integration.

• Encourage individualism and competition.

• Focus on technological advancements.

• Reduce government spending on education.

What is the main criticism of the New Right perspective on education?

• It overemphasizes the role of the state in education.

• It neglects the importance of traditional values.

• It fails to address inequalities in the education system.

• It focuses too much on student-centered learning.