The Role of Education in Society Flashcards
Marxist theory micro or macro?
- Macro
- Conflict Theory
Who are the four key Marxists for role education?
- Althusser
- Bowles & Gintis
- Willis
What does Althusser say education is
-He argues education operates as an ISA. Meaning the state controls beliefs and values through education. It teaches the ‘hidden curriculum’.
According to Marxists, the education system reproduces what over time?
It legitimises inequality and ‘teaches’ the proletariat that they should accept their subordinate position in society.
Althusser’s Theory:
The bourgeoisie maintain power using both RSA and ISA. RSA being the army, police etc. The ISA being education, media etc.
Criticism of Althusser’s theory
Do we really just accept the ideologies we’re taught? People aren’t just puppets who do what they’re told.
What is Bowles and Gintis Correspondence Principle?
What happens at school corresponds with the workplace and were taught the ‘hidden curriculum’.
According to Bowles and Gintis, what’s the ‘hidden curriculum’?
Being indirectly taught things like: obeying authority, deadlines, attendance, punctuality.
According to B&G, what does school prepare us for?
School prepares us for work and creates an obedient workforce.
What do Marxists say about Meritocracy?
They call it the ‘myth of meritocracy’, which is that not everyone has an equal chance for success. Some pupils will always be at a disadvantage. Like w/c
2 Criticisms of Bowles & Gintis study?
- It’s very deterministic. It assumes that pupils have no free will and passively accept indoctrination. This study fails to explain why many pupils reject the school’s system.
- Ignore the fact schools also reproduce other inequalities like gender.
- Postmodernists would argue education today produces a diverse workforce in terms of what is taught.
