Functionalism and Education

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Emile Durkheim: Social Solidarity
One function of the education system is to create a sense of togetherness or cohesion by creating a sense of social solidarity. This is achieved by the formal curriculum, particularly in history and literature and through enforcing British Values
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Criticism of Emile Durkheim's Social Solidarity argument
Post-Modernists argue if social solidarity exists in a post-modern society? Are we just passing on ruling class norms and values?
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Emile Durkheim: Teaching of Specialist Skills
Education provides students with the specific skills they need to be part of the complex division of labour in modern society. This is achieved through learning subjects that are specific to careers, vocational education and literacy and numeracy
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Criticism of Emile Durkheim's Teaching of Specialist Skills argument
Post-Fordist economy requires a diverse range of skills not taught in education. Large numbers of unemployed 18-24 year olds
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Talcott Parsons: Secondary Socialisation
School acts as bridge between home and society changing values of wider society. Home - particularistic values, ascribed status, collectivist beliefs. Schools - universal values, achieved status and individualistic beliefs present in wider society
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Criticisms of Talcott Parsons' Secondary Socialisation argument
Are these values enforcing ruling class ideology onto students?
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Davis and Moore: Role Allocation
The education system sifts and sorts students into their future roles in society. This is achieved through promoting meritocracy and rewarding students based upon their ability with higher status and more opportunity
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Criticisms of Davis and Moore's Role Allocation argument
Marxists would argue that Meritocracy is a myth and that role allocation merely reproduces inequality in society
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Card 2

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Criticism of Emile Durkheim's Social Solidarity argument

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Post-Modernists argue if social solidarity exists in a post-modern society? Are we just passing on ruling class norms and values?

Card 3

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Emile Durkheim: Teaching of Specialist Skills

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Criticism of Emile Durkheim's Teaching of Specialist Skills argument

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Talcott Parsons: Secondary Socialisation

Back

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