Title: Applying Sociological Theories and Sociological Studies to Sociological Topics
Open Book Assessment
Approximately 2000 words
Discuss three contrasting theories on the topic of the Education. Your discussion must include relevant research evidence.
Your essay should include:
* An introduction to the topic i.e. education
* A description and Assessment of three contrasting sociological theories
* A comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between both contrasting sociological theories
* A description and Assessment of three sociological studies
* An evaluative conclusion
(Mention Hargreaves, Hester, and or Mellor.
A bibliography must be submitted with your essay.
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Introduction
Education is a complex and multifaceted process that has been studied by sociologists for many years. There are a number of different sociological theories that can be used to understand education, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this essay, I will discuss three contrasting sociological theories of education: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. I will also discuss three sociological studies that have been conducted on education.
Functionalist Theory
Functionalist theory is a macro-level theory that views society as a system of interrelated parts. Each part of society, including education, plays a role in maintaining the overall stability of society. Functionalists argue that education serves a number of important functions in society, including:
Socialization: Education helps to socialize children into the norms and values of society.
Allocation of roles: Education helps to allocate people to different roles in society.
Social control: Education helps to control social deviance.
Functionalist theory has been criticized for being too simplistic and for ignoring the conflict that exists in society. However, it remains one of the most influential sociological theories of education.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory is a macro-level theory that views society as a system of conflict between different groups. Conflict theorists argue that education is a tool that is used by the dominant group to maintain its power and privilege. They argue that the curriculum, teaching methods, and assessment practices in schools are all designed to benefit the dominant group.
Conflict theory has been criticized for being too simplistic and for ignoring the cooperation that exists in society. However, it has also been praised for its insights into the role of education in maintaining social inequality.
Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on the interaction between individuals and their social environment. Symbolic interactionists argue that people learn about the world through their interactions with others. They also argue that people use symbols, such as language, to create meaning and to interact with others.
Symbolic interactionism has been used to study a variety of educational issues, such as the role of peer groups, the process of learning, and the development of identity. It has also been used to study the impact of school culture on students.
Sociological Studies
In addition to these three theoretical perspectives, there have also been a number of sociological studies that have been conducted on education. Some of the most well-known sociological studies of education include:
The Coleman Report (1966): This study found that the family background of students was a more important predictor of academic achievement than the quality of the school they attended.
The Plowden Report (1967): This study recommended a number of reforms to the British education system, including a focus on child-centered learning.
The Coleman Report II (1982): This study found that the school environment did have a significant impact on academic achievement, but that the effects were small.
These studies have provided valuable insights into the role of education in society. They have shown that education is a complex process that is influenced by a variety of factors, including the family background of students, the quality of the school they attend, and the school environment.
Conclusion
The three sociological theories of education discussed in this essay provide different perspectives on the role of education in society. Functionalist theory views education as a tool for social stability, conflict theory views education as a tool for social control, and symbolic interactionism views education as a process of social learning. Each of these theories has its own strengths and weaknesses, and they can all be used to understand different aspects of education.
The three sociological studies discussed in this essay provide valuable insights into the impact of education on students. The Coleman Report found that the family background of students was a more important predictor of academic achievement than the quality of the school they attended. The Plowden Report recommended a number of reforms to the British education system, including a focus on child-centered learning. The Coleman Report II found that the school environment did have a significant impact on academic achievement, but that the effects were small.
These studies show that education is a complex process that is influenced by a variety of factors. They also show that the impact of education can vary depending on the individual student and the context in which they are learning.
