marxist (role and function of education

Question 1

what are the 4 marxist views on the role and function of education + the key thinker

Answer 1

1. Education reproduces and reinforces class inequality (willis)
2. Reproduces class inequalities by reinforcing and rewarding the culture of the middle and upper classes (bourdieu)
3. Legitimates class inequality and allows the ruling class to control the masses through ideological control - The culture of capitalism is reinforced as “typical” (althusser)
4. Teaches exploitable skills and prepares students for the culture of the capitalist workforce. (bowles and gintis)

Question 2

cultural capital

Answer 2

Values, knowledge, leisure interests, levels of language and skills at home that advantage a person in the education system.

Question 3

social capital

Answer 3

Networking and socialising with others in a similar economic position to advantage them.

Question 4

economic capital

Answer 4

The amount of money/material goods that a person/group possesses.

Question 5

ideological control

Answer 5

the ideology is subconsciously transmitted through the hidden curriculum

Question 6

false class consciousness

Answer 6

the working class are in the illusion that they will not be in that position forever due to being fed ruling class values

Question 7

ideological state apparatus

Answer 7

• education is a tool used by the state to spread ideas
• its function is to maintain, legitimise, and reproduce class inequalities in wealth and power by transmitting ruling class values disguised as common values.

Question 8

how is education an ideological state apparatus

Answer 8

• teaches workers to accept their exploitation
• teaches young people that capitalism is normal

Question 9

meritocracy

Answer 9

Meritocracy is a system where people are rewarded for their efforts and merit, rather than their social status.

Question 10

who supports the idea that ‘education reproduces and reinforces class inequality’ + their ideas

marxist

Answer 10

WILLIS
* studied working class boys in midlands secondary school
* ‘counter-school subculture grouping’
* lads behaviour in schools relates to behaviour adopted in worklife later- strong hegemonic masculinity
* peer group was anti school- reproducing their working class position by not valuing education

Question 11

who supports the idea that ‘education reproduces class inequality by reinforcing & rewarding the culture of middle/upper class’ + their ideas

marxist

Answer 11

BOURDIEU
* identified 3 types of capital (economic, social, cultural
* cultural capital is useful for understanding different social groups experiencing education differently
* cultural capital= defined as the norms and values passed down
* middle calss possess more cultural capital

Question 12

who supports the idea that ‘education legitimises class inequality to control the masses through ideological control’ + their ideas

marxist

Answer 12

ALTHUSSER
two main functions of education system
1. reproduction of skills necessary fot efficient labour force
2. reproduction of a ruling class ideology
* its an ideological state apparatus
* transmit ideological ideas through the hidden curriculum- ideological control

Question 13

who supports the idea that ‘education teaches exploitable skills and prepares students for the culture of the capitalist workplace’ + their ideas

marxist

Answer 13

BOWLES AND GINTIS
* believe that education is meritocratric- lack of control in school leads to lack of control in the workplace (prepares students)
* close correspondance between social relationships in classroom to the ones in the workplace (correspondance theory)
* schools are based on heirachy