SED 2601 Learning Unit 1 2023 with verified questions and answers

What is sociology of education? Uses theoretical perspectives and rigorous research to provide important insights into the ways in which schools affect individuals and groups. What are the 3 basic concepts? 1. Sociology 2. Education 3. Sociology of education Sociology - studies social groups and individuals & - their interrelationships with social structures. What does sociology help us with? - Helps us "think ourselves away" from familiarity. - Helps us engage with a broader view of our lives. - Helps us explain why we act like we do. What does sociology teach us? - Teaches us to question what we think is "natural" - What we take for granted in society and in our everyday practices Sociological theories - Look at why societies are structured in the way that they are, - How these societies change over time. What is Education? - Act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge - developing the powers of reasoning and judgement - preparing individuals intellectually for mature life. Education is? - A dynamic and ever changing process. What does Education serve as? - A form of socialisation. Education .. - Is the means through which knowledge and learning skills are acquired for serving society and maintaining order. What is Sociology of Education? - The learning of educational structures, processes and practices from a sociological perspective. - A core field within the discipline of education. What does the Sociology of Education define? - Scientific analysis of the social processes and social patterns involved in the educational system. - Used to increase the understanding of the relationship between educational institutions and society, both at the micro and macro levels. What is meant by "curriculum"? It reflects all the modules taught at school. What's another meaning of "curriculum"? - Embraces everything that is taught in schools both explicitly and implicitly. What is sometimes referred to as the hidden curriculum? - Learners cover various subjects but they also learn about being punctual and polite. - Acquisition of social skills. What is a syllabus? - Narrower focus - Provides guidelines on what should be taught - e.g mathematics on a day-to-day basis. What does Micro-sociological & Macro-sociological approaches help us understand? The Level of analysis of sociological theories. Micro-sociological approach - Focus on small, everyday situations. - Incorporate our face-to-face interactions with other human beings. - Interactions are found in all social institutions (Schools, family, workplace). Macro-sociological approach - Long term processes with society - The development of modern, urban & industrialised societies. - E.g If a sociological theory focuses on large social systems, such as economy/political system we tend to think of these theories as "macro". What is Interrelated? Micro & Macro-approaches When studying "everyday" behaviour in schools you need to? - Examine the bigger picture - Such as different social classes that exists in schools/ certain changes impacting the school such as computer technology. Sociological theories attempt to explain how societies work - E.g A core concept of functionalism is order - and in conflict theory the notion of inequality is central to its argument. What does Giddens state? A diversity of theoretical approaches is found in Sociology. Theoretical disputes are difficult to resolve even in natural sciences Why do we face difficulties in sociology of education? Because of the complex problems involved in subjecting our own behaviour to study. Sociology definition Is the study of social life, social change, social causes and consequences of human behaviour.. How thing inter-colerate with each other. What are the 3 Major Sociology of Education Theories? 1. Functionalism 2. Conflict Theory 3.Symbolic Interactionism What are the functions of Sociology of Education? 1. Assimilation & transmission of culture and traditions. 2. The development of new social patterns. 3. Activation of constructive and creative forces. What does Sociology of Education focus on? Educational structure, processes and practices from a sociological perspective. What could Educational structures mean? How Education is structured by the state. What could Educational processes mean? Development in the educational field, perhaps around the curriculum. What could Educational practices mean? What happens in schools, such as organising the day around a timetable.