Soc 101 Wk 3 Paper

Running Head: THEORY PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION

Theory Perspectives on Education

SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology

Theory Perspectives on Education

Educators and Sociologists have long argued the function of education in society. In our countries, young history education was very casual and most educational methods were given to the higher end of our society. Whether or not education serves an economic or a political agenda for those in power, they can be explored within the three perspectives we have covered in week three. The perspectives that will be covered are the functionalist, conflict, and the interactionist perspective. We will investigate the differences and the similarities in three theories of education as well as the effect they have on individual's views, approach to social changes, and last but not least the views of our society within education.

It was said that “The functionalist theory focuses on the ways that universal education serves the needs of society. Functionalists first see education in its manifest role: conveying basic knowledge and skills to the next generation. Durkheim (the founder of functionalist theory) identified the latent role of education as one of socializing people into society's mainstream. This “moral education,” as he called it, helped form a more-cohesive social structure by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, which echoes the historical concern of “Americanizing” immigrants”, (Cliffsnotes.com). Furthermore, “the perspective of a functionalist on education is to have the consensus perspective and investigate society in the terms of how it is maintained for the common good throughout society. The functionalist will also highlight the positive aspects of schools such as socialization, attitudes, and learning of certain skills that are found in schools. The youth of today benefit by what education does to maintain society by bringing other youths together in the values shared by...