Marxist views of the role and purpose of education

Question 1

Ideological state apparatus

Answer 1

Ideological state apparatus means a Social institution whose main role is to pass on the dominate ideology of the ruling class.

Question 2

Correspondence theory

Answer 2

Correspondence Principal means the ways in which the education system mirrors the world of work. E.g. hierarchy, punctuality and rewards

Question 3

Reproduction and legitimisation of social class inequality

Answer 3

Education deliberate engineers W/C failure in order to create an unqualified factory workforce.
Private education prepares children of the elite for positions of power.
Hidden Curriculum is shaped to assist M/C achievement and deter W/C achievement.

Question 4

Myth of meritocracy

Answer 4

Education claims to be meritocratic but schools discriminate in favour of the middle class, e.g. language.
Hidden Curriculum lowers working class ambitions.

Question 5

Althusser

Answer 5

Education reproduces and legitimates inequality

Question 6

Bowles and Gintis

Answer 6

Education corresponds with the world of work
The myth of meritocracy

Question 7

Willis

Answer 7

Argued that, although pupils may resist indoctrination, their counter-school culture may actually prepare them for unskilled labour.