Sociology essay plan term 1 PDF

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Sociology exam plan. Q: using material from item B and your own knowledge, evaluate the view that the main role of the education system is to serve the needs of the economy. [30 marks] Point

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FUNC- Davis & Moore see education as a device for role allocation and selection. They say that inequality is VITAL to ensure that the most important roles within society are filled by ‘young people with talent’. However, not everyone is equally talented so society has to offer higher rewards for these jobs. This encourages everyone and creates ‘motivation’ to compete for these jobs and then society will pick the most talented individual for the job. They believe education plays a key part in this process as it acts as a proving ground which ‘sifts and sorts’ individuals according to their ability. (for ITEM B) Marxists see that education reproduces the inequalities and social relations of production of the capitalist society. They believe education serves to legitimate these inequalities under the guise of meritocracy. Marxist Sociologist Louis Althusser believes that school transmits an ideology which states that capitalism is just and reasonable. They believe school prepares pupils to accept their future exploitation within the capitalist society. They say that some pupils become managers and decision makers through their qualifications which legitimate their power over others. Another Marxist sociologist Bowles & Gintis say that there is a correspondence between the ways in which people are treated in the workplace and school which is transmitted via the hidden curriculum. This gets children used to exploitation they will experience in the future. They say that by maintaining power over children teachers are training them to become a subservient docile workforce who will not challenge capitalism. Func- Schultz and human capital (refers to the investment of people). He argues that education, training and investment in health open up opportunities and choices that otherwise would be unavailable to many individuals. He argues high levels of spending on education and training is justified to develop peoples knowledge and skills. Therefore functionalists believe that providing the means of Human Capital is a further function of the education as it acts as motivation via reward. This links to Parsons meritocracy. Meritocracy is a social system in which advancements in society are based on an individual’s capabilities and merits rather than on the basis of family and wealth.

An example of this would be a surgeon, as a patient you would want the surgeon to be qualified and skilled at their job in order to complete the task at hand.

Whereas, on the other hand Marxists would argue that education in capitalist societies only transmits the ruling class ideology rather than instilling shared common values. Dennis Wrong claims that functionalists wrongly imply that students passively accept all that they are taught and never reject school values. The New Right argue that state education systems fail to prepare young people adequately for work.

An example of this would be school rules, when you break the rules you get punished, this is said to be training the pupil to obey the rules of the workplace and of the individuals boss. Just like the pro do to bor

However, This is just armchair theorising and his work lacks empirical support. But, truancy rates and behavioural issue show children are not docile and unquestioning, also the hidden curriculum they say this is being transmitted by is no longer hidden. This view seems to be very out of date and ineffective for the current society.

However, some sociologists do not agree with referring to investments into education as human capital, due to its connotations with slavery. This could be further developed to say that maybe the education system is only reproducing ‘slaves’ for the capitalist society and economy. Schultz also fails to acknowledge that inequality of opportunity like material deprivation actually exists. But, many sociologists say that meritocracy ignores all social class, gender and ethnicity. However The New Right would agree with Meritocracy in saying advancements in society are based on an individual’s abilities rather than the basis of their family or wealth. New Right- The New Right view is very much in favour of private business The new right have actually Gewirtz & Ball argue that and free market because they believe that competition between had a large effect on the competition mainly benefits the companies creates innovation for society and encourages success. They British education system. A middle class who can use their see education as very important for a successful economy like real life example of the new cultural and economic capital to functionalists and social democrats but they think that state education is a rights beliefs is gain access to more desirable waste of resources and it is inefficient. New Right sociologists Chubb and Marketisation of schools in schools. Moe believe that state education is unresponsive to needs of the pupils which schools are Critics argue that the real cause of encouraged to compete and failure is not state control however and parents which this then leads to low standards. They believe that private education has to please the customers (pupils & parents) in order act like businesses rather its social inequality and inadequate to survive therefore standards are better. The New Right believe education than as institutions under funding of state schools. should be run as a business via marketisations.

Real life examples of human capital is worker training, apprenticeship programs and educational bonuses and benefits. An Example of this in real life are standardised testing which was introduced via the 1988 education reform act.

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Sociology exam plan. Q: using material from item B and your own knowledge, evaluate the view that the main role of the education system is to serve the needs of the economy. [30 marks]...