How can I improve my essay?

L.O. What is the Marxist explanation of

the role of education in society?How does this view compare to

another explanation?What are the strengths and

weaknesses of the Marxist view?

Pictionary?

Can you say…

What for?Why?

Specialist key terms?

Pictionary?

•

Pictionary?

Pictionary?

Pictionary?

Pictionary?

Can you go further… and offer an evaluation of this view?

Pictionary?

Pictionary?

.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A993UYg3M

NY• Watch the clip – montage of different clips/

images showing the Marxist perspective on the role of education

• Give me three… points about the Marxist perspective about the role of education

• Can you give me an alternative view/explanation about the role of education?

• Can you … give me an evaluation point of the Marxist perspective? (Strength or weakness).

Practice questionRead Item A and answer the question that follows:Item AMarxism is a conflict view that sees society as based on class divisions and exploitation. Education functions in the interests of the ruling class in a number of ways. Althusser argues that education is an ideological state apparatus controlling people’s ideas, values and beliefs.In particular, education reproduces class inequality, failing each generation of working-class pupils in turn. It also legitimates class inequality by producing ideologies that disguise its true cause. Education tries to convince people that inequality is inevitable and that failure is the fault of the individual. Marxists agree that education takes place in the ‘long shadow of work’. Other sociologists such as functionalists and the New Right disagree with Marxists. They argue that education performs positive functions for society as a whole.

Question: Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the Marxist explanations of the role of education in society. (20 marks)

Practice questionRead Item A and answer the question that follows:Item AMarxism is a conflict view that sees society as based on class divisions and exploitation. Education functions in the interests of the ruling class in a number of ways. Althusser argues that education is an ideological state apparatus controlling people’s ideas, values and beliefs.In particular, education reproduces class inequality, failing each generation of working-class pupils in turn. It also legitimates class inequality by producing ideologies that disguise its true cause. Education tries to convince people that inequality is inevitable and that failure is the fault of the individual. Marxists agree that education takes place in the ‘long shadow of work’. Other sociologists such as functionalists and the New Right disagree with Marxists. They argue that education performs positive functions for society as a whole.

Question: Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the Marxist explanations of the role of education in society. (20 marks)

Learning Mentors

• Mentor is a guide/teacher/supporter/advisor

• How can I be a good mentor to my learning partner?

Feedback

• Read each other’s work• Using the guidance mark on the work where they

have • Explained points about the Marxist view of

society and their view about the role of education.

• Compared the Marxist view to an alternative view e.g. Functionalism on the role of education

• Spoke about the weaknesses or strengths of the Marxist view

Mark in green where the student explained points about the Marxist views.

Have they:Outlined the main views of Marxism?

Explained the main Marxist concepts; Class Conflict; Capitalism; owners of the means of production; exploitation of the working classes; threat of a revolution; social institutions such as education create ideologies to maintain capitalism; create false consciousness; legitimate

(allow) inequality?

Have they:Mentioned Althusser. Talked about how the state has 2 elements that help to keep the

capitalists in power; the Repressive State Apparatus (police/army/courts)and the Ideological state apparatus (education/media/religion). Said how education reproduces class inequality

and legitimates inequality?

Mentioned Bowles and Gintis. Talked about why capitalism needs an obedient workforce and linked this to the role of education. Mentioned the correspondence principle or how school mirrors work. Talked about how the hidden curriculum prepares students for work

and the myth of meritocracy. Mentioned Paul Willis’ Learning to Labour study.

Mark in orange where the student compared points about the Marxist views

• .Mentioned the Functionalist perspective that sees education as a meritocratic fair system that prepares us for our roles in society and

acts as society in miniature ensuring that the most talented are allocated the most important roles.

Mentioned that the Feminist views argue that schools reproduce capitalism and patriarchy. Willis’ study concentrated on class

inequality but what about gender inequality?

Mentioned that Postmodernists think the Marxist view is out of date; the correspondence theory no longer exists; class system no longer operates as society is much more diverse and separated. There is

diversity and choice.

Mark in red where the student evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of Marxism

Mentioned a strength: although Marxists have been criticised they do highlight how education has maintained

class inequality they have exposed the myth of meritocracy.

Marxists disagree amongst themselves: Bowles and Gintis take a deterministic view that students passively accept indoctrination yet Willis’ study shows how boys can reject the

system of meritocracy and form subcultures.

Willis’ study was very small and only focused on boys what about gender; ethnicity?

Willis has been criticised as romanticising the lads and presenting them as working-class heroes despite their anti-school homophobic/sexist

attitudes. His study is likely to be representative.

What do I need to do to improve my answer?

• I can improve my explanation by…• I can improve the comparison of the Marxism

explanation by…• I can improve the evaluation of the Marxism

explanation by…

.

Cloak Sledge Tourist Machine

- Show how each of these random words might link to today’s lesson.

- Explain the influence or link

Adapted Edward De Bono’s ‘How to Have Creative Ideas’. See www.edwarddebono.com

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