SOC 535

Chapter one assignment

Please respond to the following in paragraph form, providing an appropriate level of detail and specificity. Single sentence replies are insufficient! Spelling, grammar, and punctuation count. Do not submit work that has not been proofread. Your submission should be an absolute minimum of six well-developed paragraphs (A minimum of five sentences per paragraph.).

Reading one:

As the authors state, “According to Gallup polls on adult attitudes toward education, adults expect schools to teach basic skills, discipline children, and instill values and a sense of responsibility” (p. 7). To what extent do you agree or disagree with that statement? In your opinion, what should be the point(s) of education? Should education be conservative, reinforcing the status quo and creating students who can be ‘plugged into’ pre-existing roles and positions? Should it be progressive, encouraging students to fight injustice and inequality? Should it be revolutionary, with the goal of creating new social forms and a new society? Or should the point(s) of education be something altogether different? If so, be specific.

Reading two:

First, distinguish between macro and micro level theories, providing examples of questions macro and micro level oriented theorists may pose. Next, provide a brief summary of a micro level theory of education, a brief summary of functionalism as applied to education, and a brief summary of conflict theory as it pertains to education.

Reading six:

In a single paragraph, summarize labeling theory. Next, apply labeling theory to the realm of education. What are the bases upon which teachers often make inferences or assumptions about the academic ability and potential of their students? Finally, what is the self-fulfilling prophecy, as originally described by Rosenthal and Jacobson?