Section Overview
The section provides an overview of education as a multifaceted social institution that profoundly shapes individuals, communities, and societies. It explores the purpose and functions of education, including knowledge acquisition, skills development, and socialization. The section discusses various theoretical perspectives on education, such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, to understand the social dynamics and outcomes of education. It examines formal education systems, including early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling, and higher education, as well as alternative educational models like homeschooling, Montessori and Waldorf approaches, and vocational education. The section delves into the socialization process within educational settings, exploring the role of schools, peers, and teachers as agents of socialization and the concept of the hidden curriculum. It also discusses the impact of education on identity formation, specifically gender identity, gender roles, and ethnic identity, emphasizing the importance of promoting gender equity and multicultural education. Lastly, the section addresses educational inequalities based on social class, race, and gender, highlighting the disparities in access to quality education and educational outcomes and the need for creating an inclusive and transformative educational system.
Reading Assignment for Section 6.3
Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 6.3: Education.
What You Will Learn
In this section, you’ll learn about the purpose and functions of education, including knowledge acquisition, skills development, and socialization. You’ll analyze various theoretical perspectives on education, such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, to gain insights into its social dynamics and outcomes. Additionally, you’ll explore formal education systems and alternative models to understand their structures and how they cater to diverse educational needs.
Student Learning Outcomes for Section 6.3
- SLO 1: Students will understand the purpose and functions of education, including knowledge acquisition, skills development, and socialization.
- SLO 2: Students will analyze the theoretical perspectives on education, such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, to gain insights into its social dynamics and outcomes.
- SLO 3: Students will examine formal education systems, including early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling, higher education, and alternative models like homeschooling and vocational education, to understand their structures and cater to diverse educational needs.
- SLO 4: Students will explore the role of education in socialization, examining the influence of schools, peers, and teachers as agents of cultural transmission and the concept of the hidden curriculum.
- SLO 5: Students will assess the impact of education on identity formation, focusing on gender identity, gender roles, and ethnic identity, and the importance of promoting gender equity and multicultural education to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
Modification History File Created: 05/07/2023 Last Modified: 06/26/2023
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This work is licensed under an Open Educational Resource-Quality Master Source (OER-QMS) License.
