Durkheim - The Role of Education

Question 1

What type of theorist was Durkheim?

Answer 1

Functionalist.

Question 2

What are the two functions of education?

Answer 2

Education fulfils positive functions for society:

1) Promoting Social Solidarity
- subjects like history + literature = gain a shared heritage which creates strong social bonds.

2) Teaching Specialist Skills
- modern era + complex division of labour = need for specialist skills which can be fulfilled by education.

Question 3

What is the definition of Social Solidarity?

Answer 3

The ties that bind people together in society.

Question 4

What are the two forms of Social Solidarity?

Answer 4

1) Mechanical Solidarity (Pre-Industrial era)
- small communities + belief in religion = strong bonds. These bonds were then threatened (e.g secularisation) -> Organic Solidarity replaced this.

2) Organic Solidarity
- new bonds were made through work and new religious movements -> this threatened traditional bonds.

Religion promoted Social Solidarity to promote moral education.

Question 5

How does education achieve Social Solidarity?

Answer 5

1) Teaching students a shared heritage gives them their place in society + common identity.
- achievement by teaching subjects such as history + religion + literature = focuses on achievements of one’s own culture. EXAMPLE: UK students study Shakespeare + Christian values.

2) Communal gatherings
- assemblies to celebrate achievements promote values of belonging to a community + being accepted into wider society.

3) Social cohesion
- house systems + sporting activities provide a sense of unity + belonging to something bigger than themselves.

Question 6

Social Solidarity in contemporary applications:

Answer 6

1) Gove reform to curriculum in 2013 began with history.
- represent an ‘Island Story’ of Britain from the Magna Carta to internet.
-> evidence of educational performing Social Solidarity.

2) Coalition Gov. compulsory teaching of British values.
- democracy + The rule of law = reinforces British culture/identity within schools.
-> fulfil function of Social Solidarity.

Question 7

Criticisms

Answer 7

• Marxists suggest students are learning the history of the ruling class compared to the masses.
• Bull suggested an Ethnocentric curriculum that focused on ‘little Englandism’ failing to teach history and literature from other cultures despite diversity of contemporary society.
• Teaching of British values can marginalise minority ethnic groups in society, implying that non-Christian faiths are inferior.