marxism Flashcards
what ideas of functionalism do marxists challenge
the belief that the education system is meritocratic- they refer to this as the ‘myth of meritocracy’
the belief that social mobility can be achieved through education
do marxists believe education perpetuates inequality
yes
they also believe it legitimises it
Louis Althusser 1971 - key concepts
ideological state apparatus
reproduction of class inequality
repressive state apparatus
ideological state apparatus
institutions that encourage conformity
by transmitting ruling class ideology (e.g. educational institutions)
repressive state apparatus
institutions that force the proletariat to conform and keeps them in their place (e.g. police)
Louis - how does education serve the needs of capitalism
it passes on ruling class norms and values, legitimising capitalism by creating a submissive workforce
Bowles and Gintis 1976 - key concepts
the hidden curriculum
correspondence principle
the myth of meritocracy
hidden curriculum
a curriculum apart from the subjects taught that is hidden from teachers and students
e.g. punctuality
myth of meritocracy
education system legitimises inequality promoting the facade that it offers equality of opportunity
leads us to believe inequality is fair
correspondence theory
close similarity between social relationships at school and work
creates a passive workforce with unquestioning workers
Paul Willis 1977 - key concepts
counter school - culture
shop floor culture
resistance
Paul Willis 1977 - study overview
qualitative study - used focus group
12 working class boys from a school in wolverhampton, known to be destructive in school
most important thing was ‘having a laff’
anti-school subculture
working class boys resist values at school and create their own anti school subculture
continues into their working life where they develop ‘shop floor culture’
they know social mobility is unlikely so school is not worth the effort
Paul willis - his key beliefs about education
he doesn’t belief workers are passive or in a false class consciousness
education reproduces labour power, which maintains social inequality
weaknesses -
economic determinism
pupils influence their own fate
overlooks other forms of socialisation in education
