Education as a Social Institution
Ryan Roberts
Education as a Social Institution
Introduction to Sociology SOC 101
Dr. Stephen Ulrich
May 19, 2009
Introduction
At some point in time everyone is a recipient of some type of education. This can take the form of traditional schooling, home schooling, or mentoring by an individual. Formal schooling, within industrialized nations, typically encompasses one third of an individual’s life. This is one of the reasons sociologists have examined education as it relates to various social perspectives. This paper will explore education in regards to the Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist perspectives/views. (Perspective and views will be used interchangeably throughout this paper). “Two theories are considered in accounting for the increased schooling required for employment in advanced industrial society: (a) a technical-function theory, stating that educational requirements reflect the demands for greater skills on the job due to technological change; and (b) a conflict theory, stating that employment requirements reflect the efforts of competing status groups to monopolise or dominate jobs by imposing their cultural standards on the selection process” (Collins, 1971).
Applying the Functionalist Theory
Functionalist theory is explained by asserting that “societies function like biological systems in that they have differentiated parts that function together to ensure the smooth operation and survival of the organism as a whole” (Morrow, Torres, 1995). It is important to note that within the functionalist theory there are three different functions. “Manifest functions of institutions are open, stated, conscious functions. They involve the intended, recognized consequences of an aspect of society, such as the university’s role in certifying academic competence and excellence” (Schaefer, 2009). An example of this would be the core classes that are available to students in elementary school. Such
Education as a Social Institution
Introduction to Sociology SOC 101
Dr. Stephen Ulrich
May 19, 2009
Introduction
At some point in time everyone is a recipient of some type of education. This can take the form of traditional schooling, home schooling, or mentoring by an individual. Formal schooling, within industrialized nations, typically encompasses one third of an individual’s life. This is one of the reasons sociologists have examined education as it relates to various social perspectives. This paper will explore education in regards to the Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist perspectives/views. (Perspective and views will be used interchangeably throughout this paper). “Two theories are considered in accounting for the increased schooling required for employment in advanced industrial society: (a) a technical-function theory, stating that educational requirements reflect the demands for greater skills on the job due to technological change; and (b) a conflict theory, stating that employment requirements reflect the efforts of competing status groups to monopolise or dominate jobs by imposing their cultural standards on the selection process” (Collins, 1971).
Applying the Functionalist Theory
Functionalist theory is explained by asserting that “societies function like biological systems in that they have differentiated parts that function together to ensure the smooth operation and survival of the organism as a whole” (Morrow, Torres, 1995). It is important to note that within the functionalist theory there are three different functions. “Manifest functions of institutions are open, stated, conscious functions. They involve the intended, recognized consequences of an aspect of society, such as the university’s role in certifying academic competence and excellence” (Schaefer, 2009). An example of this would be the core classes that are available to students in elementary school. Such
References: Collins, R. (1971). American Sociological Review, Vol. 36, No. 6, pp. 1002-1019 Published by: American Sociological Association Retrieved May 19, 2009, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2093761. Domine, V. (2007). Commerce in US schools: four dominant perspectives. Society and Business Review, 2(1), 98-120. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1218458471). Farnum, R. (1997). Elite college discrimination and the limits of conflict theory. Harvard Educational Review, 67(3), 507-530. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 15360205). Morrow, R.A., Torres, C.A. (1995). Social theory and education: a critique of theories of social and cultural reproduction. Published by: SUNY Press. Retrieved May 19, 2009, from http://books.google.com/books?id=JZnwFlGI5gsC. Schaefer, R.T. (2009). Sociology: a brief introduction. 8th Edition. McGraw-Hill. Ryan, You have written a well-organized and researched paper on education utilizing the three sociological perspectives. Subheading enhanced the paper and gave it a logical flow. APA formatting and references were appropriate. The paper included an introduction with thesis statement and conclusion. Dr. Ulrich 25 points