Sociology

• Sociology is the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society
• Sociology of education examines the function of education within broader social structures
• Education's impact on society:

  • What role does education play in the life chances of different groups in society?
  • How can we explain why some groups systematically win while others lose?
  • Is education a means of liberating people or of social control?
• Schools reproduce race, class, and regulation of student bodies
• Schools are viewed as factories with a 12-year time frame
• Functionalism: The curriculum is designed for a purpose
• Schools are seen as socialization agencies that teach children how to get along with others and prepare them for adult economic roles
• Purpose of schooling includes socialization and homogeneity
• Education is seen as a placement for helping swift kids
• Schools provide students with cultural capital, accumulated knowledge to help them navigate a culture
• Perennialism focuses on transmitting eternal and universal truths
• Essentialism involves replicating cultural knowledge and practice
• Schools have the power to mobilize students, creating a fear of teachers
• Education aims to create a perfect society
• Increased schooling results in a 30% reduction in murders and assaults
• Schools limit the opportunity to commit crime (Incapacitation effect)
• Employment prospects are raised by schooling, reducing the opportunity cost of crime
• Education makes individuals risk-averse (Risk aversion)
• Positive peer pressure in social interaction can deter criminal activity
• Education can both reduce and increase crime, depending on societal choices
• People who commit crimes are often more educated
• Higher grades are associated with a lower likelihood of self-harm
• Perry Preschool studies show long-term effects, including a 20% rise in home ownership after one year of preschool
• Parental education impacts a child's educational outcomes
• Streaming in education can lead to disparities in student outcomes
• Achievement gap refers to the disparity in achievement between groups of students based on race, religion, class, and gender
• Education serves as a link between social status and destination
• Only 17% of Native Americans continue their education after high school
• Identity and background can influence educational experiences
• Competing purposes in education include standardization, achievement gaps, and personalization