Education-Marxism Flashcards
What are the Marxist theories on education?
-ideological state apparatus
-myth of meritocracy
-counter culture
-correspondence principal
What was Althusser’s theory on education?
-ideological state apparatus.
-education is the main form of ideological state apparatus as it passes on capitalist beliefs through the subjects it teaches and the hidden curriculum behind it all. Legitimises class inequalities as it gets them to accept working class status. Also reproduces class inequality by failing working class children generationally.
How can the state of apparatus theory be criticised?
-can be argued that not all middle class students do well in education and not all working class students fail in education.
-Teachers do not purposely sabotage the working class.
What was Willis’ theory on education?
-counter culture
-subjects taught in school are supposed to teach children about gaining certain feelings like patriotism creates a shared sense of community. But some may not be,one meaning that they are then left feeling excluded and in Marxism this means that they may not fit into the workforce easily and may not work as hard. May reject the schools efforts due to personal opinion
What experiment did Willis perform?
looked at 12 working class boys in their last year of school. Noticed how the boys rejected the culture of the school.
Evaluations of Willis’ theory
only looked at 12 working class students, only looked at boys no girls, Willis ignored the rest of the working class following the middle class culture.
What were Bowles and Gintis’ theories?
-correspondence principal
-myth of meritocracy
What is the myth of meritocracy?
educations universalistic standards are to teach competition to children so that they learn about meritocracy and that in order to succeed in life they have to work hard and they will benefit the most. So when the working class fail due to a rigged system, they will blame themselves not the system. Become obedient.
What is the correspondence principal?
When education mirrors the workplace to create passive and obedient workers needed for capitalism. Transmitted through the hidden curriculum(subliminal messages from teachers)e.g. punishments.
Examples of the correspondence principal.
-hierarchy in school=teachers and hierarchy in work=bosses
-working for rewards rather than satisfaction e.g. grades and wages.
-control of your day.
Evaluations of the correspondence principal
schools are now different education is now different and encourages individual thinkers as nature of jobs has changed. Moved away from Labour/instruction heavy jobs.
Evaluations of the myth of meritocracy .
-that scholarships now mean that children from poorer backgrounds can now get greater opportunities like those of better financial places as they have a natural skill = meritocracy.
-Everyone sits same exams with the same grade boundaries, therefore meritocracy does exist.
