Unit 1 Society and Education

Society - is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial
or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations .

It is made up of various institutions that work together in cooperation.

These institutions are viewed as “action systems “ because they are the diff. establishments, schools, church that will
help the community to become progressive , to be molded.

Action systems - is the behavioral organism that handles the adaptation function by adjusting and transforming the
external world

Education

the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and
generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life

What is the relationship between Education and Society?

Education and society both are inter-related or inter-dependent because both mutually influence each other i.e.
complimentary.
Without education, how can we build an ideal society and without society how we can organize education system
systematically

that means both are needed to understand. Education helps individuals to learn how to live, how to behave, how to
organized, everything in their lives so it is an agent which brings change in society or we can say in one line education is
a social change agent. Lets see the the influence of society on education.

If society is well structured and have ideals, then it automatically effects the education. Social structure is generally built
in religion, the way of living life, philosophy of members of society, politics, economy, and it has some good ideals which
help every individual and contribute in society . after all educationalist, experts and psychologist are coming from society
who mould the education system and make it more practical full-fledged with technologies.

Society influence political conditions. The one who is political leader coming from society and he/she always followed
the set ideals including democracy, equality and he has also some political ideas such as responsibilities, accountability,
unity, integration of human being with values ideals etc.

And with those ideals he governs particular area or state and as we know education is related to government. Being a
part of it, an individual affects the education system.

A. Philosophical Perspectives

1. Classical Philosophies (Ivy, Angeline)

Idealism

any of various systems of thought in which the objects of knowledge are held to be in some way dependent on the
activity of mind.

Standards, guidelines, criteria

Idealism in education is a belief that knowledge comes from within. Originally conceived by Plato, idealism states that
the only true reality is the reality within the mind. For teachers, this implies the need to develop children to their true
potential and guide their minds so that they are living up to their purpose.

Realism

is the viewpoint which accords to things which are known or perceived an existence or nature which is independent of
whether anyone is thinking about or perceiving them

Existentialism
a philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible
agent determining their own development through acts of the will.

What is existential theory? Existential theory is rooted in the philosophical idea that humans have free choice, and
because of that free choice, we can create purpose and meaning in our lives. Existential theory suggests that we have a
choice in who we desire to be.

Home school

Pragmatism
Comes from the Greek word:to do or to make The thought must produce action

MODERN PHILOSOPHIES

Perennialism
• Focuses on everlasting and universal truths. The ideas are as relevant and meaningful today as when they were
written.
• Aims to prepare students for life by developing their intellectual and more qualities
• Aims to develop power of thought, internalize truths that are universal and constant
•The most conservative, traditional, but flexible educational philosophy. • Focuses on the importance of reading.
•History, religion, literature, law of science •More on Humanities and social science

Progressivism by John Dewey

• Is a theory of education that concerned with “LEARNING BY DOING” that children learn best when pursuing their own
interest and satisfying their own needs Focused on real world problem solving and individual development.

Humanism
On Understanding Humanism, we divide the humanist approach to life up into five core features:

• Human beings: Humanists believe that human beings have natural origins. We evolved naturally like all other living
things. We have evolved many capacities and, if we put them to good use, we have the potential to lead good and happy
lives.
• Understanding the world: Humanists believe the world is a natural place with no supernatural side (they will be
atheists or agnostics). They believe that science and the search for evidence provides the best way to answer our
questions about the world.
• The one life: Humanists believe this is the one life we have and so we need to make the most of it. For humanists,
there is no single ‘ultimate’ meaning of life. Instead, it is up to us to make our own lives meaningful. They believe we
should be free to decide how we live (as long as we do not cause harm to others), seeking happiness and supporting
others to do the same.
• Humanist ethics: Humanists believe that the origins of our moral capacities lie inside human beings and our evolution
as social animals. They believe that, when deciding how to act, we should use reason and empathy, considering the
consequences of our actions and the likely impact on other people and animals.
•Humanism in society: Humanists believe that human beings alone are responsible for making the world a better place.
Many campaigns for equality, human rights, and secularism. Many celebrate the progress humanity has made but
recognize the work that is still to be done.

POST MODERN PHILOSOPHIES

As a philosophy, postmodernism rejects concepts of rationality, objectivity, and universal truth. Instead, it emphasizes
the diversity of human experience and multiplicity of perspectives.
.
•General Characteristics of Postmodernism Is characterized by broad skepticism or relativism and a general suspicion of
reason.
What post modernist believe:
• There is no objective reality;
• There is no scientific or historical truth (objective truth); Science and technology (and even reason and logic) are not
vehicles of human progress but suspect instruments of established power; Reason and logic are not universally valid;
• There is no such thing as human nature (human behavior and psychology are socially determined or constructed);

Language does not refer to a reality outside itself; There is no certain knowledge; and No general theory of the natural
or social world can be valid or true (all are illegitimate “metanarratives”). What do they say about Education? Regarding
postmodernist, the aims of education are teaching critical thinking, production of knowledge, development of individual
and social identity, self creation. In postmodern education teachers just lead students to discover new things.

The curriculum should include important values to teach which are as follows:
• Striving for Diversity
• Tolerance
• Freedom
• Creativity
• Emotion
• Intuitions

B. SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

• Social Dimensions of Education Origin of Sociology of Education

The sociology of education is the study of how social institutions and individual experiences affects education and its
outcome. Sociologists see education as one of the major institutions that constitutes society. While theories guide
research and policy formulation in the sociology of education. Sociology The word Sociology originates from latin prefix
:socius, “companion”; and the suffix –ology, “the study of”, from Greek lógos, “knowledge”.
Sociology encompasses all the elements of society ie social relation, social stratification, social interaction, culture.
Society People of a particular country, area, time, etc., thought of especially as an organized community.

Education It is a social endeavor designed to get the maximum from the ability of each of the member of the society.
Education is covers both the teaching, learning of knowledge and values.

• CONSENSUS AND CONFLICT THEORIES

Conflict Theory Emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. This perspective is derived from
the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources.
According to conflict theory, inequality exists because those in control of a disproportionate share of society’s resources
actively defend their advantages.
The conflict model is concerned with the stresses and conflicts that emerge in society because of competitions over
scarce resources.
It focuses on the inequalities that are built into social structures rather than on those that emerge because of personal
characteristics.
•Consensus Theory Is a social theory that states that social change should occur in institutions that are provided by a
political or economic system, which is fair. The theory also states that the absence of conflict within a society is the state
of equilibrium. It is being considered in these theories that the social order in society should be maintained, based upon
the accepted norms, values, roles or regulations that are accepted by the society in general

• STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM States that society is made up of various institutions that work together in cooperation.
Parson’s structural functionalism has four functional imperatives also known as AGIL scheme.
•Structural Functionalism (AGIL) Adaptation Goal Attainment Intergration Latency

INTERACTIONIST THEORY Is the relation of school and society are critiques and extensions of the functionalist and
conflict perspectives. Interactionist theories attempt to make the “commonplace strange” by turning on their heads
everyday taken for granted behaviors and interactions between students and students and between students and
teachers.
Schools and Social Institutions
The Family The smallest social institution with the unique function or producing and rearing the young. It is the basic
unit of Philippine society and the educational system where the child begins to learn his ABC. Functions of the Family
Reproduction of the race and rearing of the young. Cultural transmission or enculturation.
Socialization of the child. Providing affection and a sense of security. Providing the environment for personality
development and the growth of self-concept in relation to others. Providing social status.

•Kinds of Family (according to STRUCTURE)

a.Conjugal or Nuclear Family
b. Consanguine or Extended Family

(according to term of MARRIAGE)

a. Polyandry
b.Polygamy
c. Cenogamy

(according to DESCENT)
a. Patrilocal
b. Matrilocal
c. Neolocal –

(According to AUTHORITY)
a. Partriarchal
b. Matriarchal
c. Equalitarian

•EDUCATION
A form of learning in which the knowledge, skills, and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to
the next through teaching, training, or research.
•What are the functions of Schools?
Mcnergney & Herbert(2001) –described the school as first and foremost a social institution, that is , an established
organization having an identifiable structure and a set of functions meant to preserve and extend social order.
•Intellectual Purposes
• Political Purposes Social Purposes Economic Purpose

RELIGION Is a system of beliefs and rituals that serves to bind people together through shared worship, thereby creating
a social group.
Characteristics of Religion Belief in a deity A doctrine of salvation
A code of conduct Religious rituals Functions of Religion (Calderon 1998)

Three Elements of Religion Sacred and Profane Legitimation of norms Rituals Religious community Economic Institutions
refers to two things:
• Specific agencies or foundations, both government and private, devoted to collecting or studying economic data, or
commissioned with the job of supplying a good service that is important to the economy of a country.
• Well-established arrangements and structures that are part of the culture or society,e.g,competitive markets, the
banking system, kid’s allowances, customary tipping, and a system of property rights are examples of economic
institutions.

Government as a Social Institution

It is the institution which solves conflicts that are public in nature and involve more than a few people.
Three Branches of Government:
Executive
Legislative
Judicial

•Social Institution consist of a group of people who have come together for a common purpose.

C. EDUCATIONAL REFORMS : THE KTO12 CURRICULUM Seeks to establish an inclusive and high-performing education
system by lengthening the compulsory basic education cycle to 13 years, covering kindergarten until Grade 12, as well as
decongesting and enhancing the basic education curriculum to enable learners to master basic competencies.

Benefits of Schooling under a 13-year Education Cycle

• Preparedness for Tertiary Learning
• Readiness to join the workforce
• Skill competency in the global market

Existentialism- their life, their choice

Modernism - hopeful
Post modernism- many questions

Post Modernism - anti-realism

Postmodernists rely upon their own definition of self. Their role is defined and redefined by themselves. They forge a
place for themselves in the world. They create their own space, their own niche. That niche can be refashioned or
discarded in changing circumstances. Their self can remain intact, because it does not have to rely upon anyone else’s
definitions.

Postmodernism is associated with relativism and a focus on ideology in the maintenance of economic and political
power. Postmodernists are "skeptical of explanations which claim to be valid for all groups, cultures, traditions, or races,
and instead focuses on the relative truths of each person".

Questions the importance of power relationships, personalization and discourse in the construction of truth and world
views.

Deny that an objective really exist.

An anti-realism

General characteristics of postmodernism?

Is characterized by broad skepticism or relativism and a general suspicion of reason.

What post modernist believe

Post modernism believe that

(1) there is no objective reality;
2) there is no scientific or historical truth (objective truth);
3) science and technology (and even reason and logic) are not vehicles of human progress but suspect instruments of
established power;
4) reason and logic are not universally valid;
5) there is no such thing as human nature (human behavior and psychology are socially determined or constructed);
6) language does not refer to a reality outside itself;
7) there is no certain knowledge; and
no general theory of the natural or social world can be valid or true (all are illegitimate “metanarratives”).

What do they say about education?

Regarding postmodernist, the aims of education are teaching critical thinking, production of knowledge, development of
individual and social identity, self creation. In postmodern education teachers just lead students to discover new things.

Postmodernism with a critical view toward education tries offer new explanation of cognition, knowledge, school,
curriculum and educational content. So postmodernism h questioned all limitations, standards and borders and has
created new forms of knowledge.

The curriculum should include important values to teach which are as follows:

Striving for diversity- does not mean that students shall be accepting cultural practices and beliefs without question.

tolerance- The acceptance of differing views of other people and the fairness towards the people who hold these diff
views.

Freedom - considerable autonomy is give to both teachers (localizing activities in the classroom) qne students (in terms
of their decision making).

Creativity - the ability to use imagination to develop new and original ideas or things.

Emotion- expressing a strong feeling directly towards a specific object which is accompanied by psychological and
behavioral changes in the body.

Intuitions- immediate cognition or a feeling that guides a person to act certain way without fully understanding why.