Unit 3 - Section B: Differential Achievement - Social Class - THEORETICAL EXPLANATION - Marxism - Inside: Hidden Curriculum

Question 1

Althusser

Answer 1

Education system is part of superstructure (institutions of society) and impacted by infrastructure (economic base owned by ruling class), designed in a way that benefits bourgeoisie. Performs two roles: 1) to pass on necessary skills to create workforce. 2) ruling class ideologies to ensure WC conform. Ruling class use ‘ideological control’ to make sure students conform to rules. ‘Ideological state apparatus’ - institutions are used by ruling class to pass on ideologies. If physical force was used to ensure productive workplace, masses could resist and not conform. Education plays key role to keep WC in subordinate position. Education system manipulated and designed to ensure students are ‘trained’ from young age as unquestioning, subordinate, hardworking, conformist. Easily manipulated in workplace.

Question 2

Bowles and Gintis

Answer 2

Education serves to reproduce capitalist relations of production (hierarchy of workers) with appropriate skills and attitudes. Ensures workers will unquestioningly adapt to needs of system - ‘correspondence principle’ - what goes on in school corresponds directly to world of work. Pupils that fit in and conform, rise above those who express attitudes or display behaviour that challenges system.