Postmodernism Flashcards
What do they believe that sociology is characterised by?
Choice, diversity, uncertainty
What is no longer fixed in a postmodern society?
No longer fixed roles, relationships/ path in life
What have meta-narratives of modern IDs been replaced by?
Modern IDs (class, age, ethnicity) replaced with pick and mix, fluid + hybrid IDs
What is their view on education?
‘One size fits all’ approach = outdated
No 1 type of school/ learning can meet diverse needs of individuals today
Ed needs to be modernised + flexible - meet demands of changing workforce
e.g Free Schools
What are 5 characteristics of education in a postmodern S that Usher ID?
- Schools = increasingly focusing on individual’s learning styles
- Flexible (e.g. distance learning)
- Lifelong (constantly update skills, adapt)
- Learner = active, learns through own experiences
- Increasing no. types of schools to choose form
What is a strength of Usher’s work?
Recognises influence of postmodernity on Ed
Argues that S = no longer homogenous, fragmented with diverse cultures
Needs to be reflected in Ed
What is a disadvantage of Usher’s work?
Exaggerates extent of diversity in Ed
National C gives little scope for flexibility
Not all cultural values = treated equally
‘British values’ promoted most
When did Usher write?
1997
When did Thompson write?
1997
What did Thompson say about education?
Schools can break free from ‘oppressive uniformity’ by ‘1 size fits all’ mass education system
Instead schools become ‘customised’ to meet different needs of diverse community
e.g growth in faith schools + specialist schools
What is a strength of Thompson’s work?
Has influenced Ed policy
Especially growth of faith schools + free schools
- less constrained by Nat C
What does Thompson’s work fail to account for?
Ongoing inequalities in Ed + DEA
How would Functionalists + the New Right criticise Thompson’s work?
Argue that a customised education system undermines social cohesion/ solidarity
When looking at Ed, what needs to be considered?
Changes occurring in wider S
e.g globalisation, had significant impact
2 ways that education has been influenced by globalisation?
- Politicians being influenced by international policies (PISA (league tables), alternative schooling types, Swedish free schools)
- Skills needed for work = changing, IT = becoming more important in Ed
