Topic group present (week 8)

Chapter 1:Sociology and Learning Management

Sociology was the first social science discipline to develop a basic framework for the
study of education, complementing long-established perspectives rooted in
psychology and philosophy.  Sociology is both solidly theoretical and highly relevant
to policy and practice in education. 

Theoretical Approaches within the Sociology of Education

 moral education was necessary for society to exist because it provided the basis
for the social solidarity that held society together. 
 the socializing function of education also serves to promote social control and to
curb deviant behavior.
 The symbolic interaction approach to studying education focuses on interactions
during the schooling process and the outcomes of those interactions

Theoretical Debates
1. Functionalism
 schools serve the presumed needs of a social order committed to rationality,
meritocracy, and democracy
 They provide individuals with the necessary cognitive skills and cultural outlook
to be successful workers and citizens and provide society with an efficient, fair
way of sorting and selecting "talents" so that the most capable can assume the
most responsible positions.
2. Conflict
 the status conflict approach emphasizes the attempts of various groups—
primarily defined by ethnicity, race, and class—to use education as a mechanism
to win or maintain privilege
 The evolving structure of the educational system reflects the outcomes of these
struggles as groups attempt to control the system for their own benefit. With
varying success, status groups use education both to build group cohesion and to
restrict entry to desired positions to those certified by "their" schools.
 However, as lower-status groups seek social mobility by acquiring more
educational credentials, enrollments may expand beyond what is technically
 necessary. In this view, then, the educational system is not necessarily functional
to capitalist interests or other imputed system needs.

3. Interaction
 Symbolic interaction theory is a theory of micro.
 This theory of perspective criticizes the theory of functionalism and conflict
because it is too dependent on the opinion that the whole human being is formed
by social system.
 For the theory of interactionism, human is not passive and emphasizes that social
interaction that forms reality.
 This theory is more focused on examining the meanings created by the
communities involved, especially teachers and students.
 Symbolic is useful during interactions where the meanings cause the relationship
to be more friendly.

Sociology of Education
Knowledge that studies all aspects of education is either structural, dynamic,
educational problems or other aspects in depth through sociological approaches.