SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
CHAPTER 14
Education and Religion
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Objectives:
 Explain how the views of functionalist,
conflict, and interactionist sociologists differ
concerning education.
 Identify some of the current issues in
American education.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Comparing Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist Perspectives of Education
Functionalist – schools help maintain the stability and smooth
operation of society
 Teaching Knowledge and skills- The basic function of education is to teach
children the knowledge and skills they will need in the adult world.
 Transmission of Culture- For societies to survive over time, they must pass
on the core values of their culture to following generations. (Schools teach
children patriotism, loyalty, and socially acceptable forms of behavior).
 Social Integration- Education serves to produce a society of individuals
who share a common national identity. (Even though the society is
comprised of different religious, ethnic, and racial groups)
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Comparing Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist Perspectives of Education
(continued)
 Occupational Placement- Education often serves to screen and select the
members of society for the work they will do as adults.
 Schools train students to occupy important positions in society.
 Based on test and evaluations, some students are steered towards collegepreparatory courses, while others are steered towards vocational courses or
non-college programs.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Comparing Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist Perspectives of Education
Conflict – the educational system serves to limit the potential of
certain people and groups to gain power and social rewards
 Both Functionalist and Conflict Sociologist view the school as agents of social
control
 Conflict Sociologist view Social Control as a way to produce unquestioning
citizens who accept the basic inequalities of the social system.
 There is a Hidden Curriculum which involves teaching students a conservative
set of values that center on obedience to authority.
 Conflict Sociologist believe that the goal of the Hidden Curriculum, and the tight
social control associated with it, is to produce cooperative working adult,
workers who will willingly accept the demands of those in power.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Comparing Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist Perspectives of Education
(continued)
 Tracking- This involves the assignment of students to different types of
educational programs, such as general studies, vocational training, and collegepreparatory studies.
 Students are assigned tasks on the basis of intelligence and aptitude test scores,
classroom grades, and teacher evaluations.
 Conflict Sociologist view tracking as a means by which the wealthy and
powerful maintain their position in society.
 Higher-track classes encourage the development of skills related to critical thinking,
problem solving, and creative writing. (tend to be filled with higher income students)
 Lower-track classes generally focus on classroom drills and memorization, they tend
to emphasize conforming behavior, cooperation, and getting along with other people.
(tend to be filled with low-income and minority students)
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Comparing Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist Perspectives of Education
(continued)
 Education and Socioeconomic Status- Most Americans have long believed that
education is the key to social mobility. (Educational achievement appears to be
tied strongly to socioeconomic status).
 Conflict Sociologist argue that the opportunities for educational success and
social mobility are distributed unequally.
 Expectations families have for their children’s achievement differ by socioeconomic
class.
 The higher status families are better able than are lower-status families to provide a
home environment well-suited to enrich learning.
 The incomes of lower-status families are often barely enough to provide the basic
necessities of life.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Comparing Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist Perspectives of Education
Interactionist – students’ educational achievements and success are
shaped in part by teacher-student interactions
 Studies have shown that students tend to fall under the premise of the selffulfilling prophecy.
 Self-fulfilling prophecy- a prediction that leads to behavior that makes the
prediction come true.
 Teachers, through words and actions, let students know what is expected of
them, and the students performs according to these expectations.
 Students who are expected to achieve come to think of themselves as bright and
capable because they have been, and continue to be, treated as bright and capable
people.
 Students not expected to achieve, on the other hand, may come to think of
themselves as inferior.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
The Sociology of Education
Current Issues in
American Education
•Educational Reform
•Educational Alternatives
•Violence in the schools
•Bilingual Education
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Current Issues in
American Education
 Educational Reform – to address a decline in
the level of the quality of education; has led to
some improvements (NCLB)
 Educational Alternatives – provides school
choice through vouchers, charter schools, and
options such as homeschooling
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1: The Sociology of Education
Current Issues in
American Education
(continued)
 Violence in the Schools – has led to the use of
security measures; zero tolerance policies, and
conflict-resolution programs
 Bilingual Education – controversial,
particularly in states with many Hispanics; has
led to “English Only” movement
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Objectives:
 Identify the basic societal needs that religion
serves.
 Describe the distinctive features of religion in
American society.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Functions of Religion
 Social Cohesion – strengthening of bonds
among people
 Social Control – encourages conformity to the
norms of society
 Emotional Support – to provide emotional
support during difficult times
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
The Nature of Religion
 Religions exists in varied forms around the
world. However, all religions contain certain
basic elements. Among these elements are:
Rituals and Symbols, Belief Systems, and
Organizational Structures.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Functions of Religion
 Rituals and Symbols
 Religious rituals are often used to mark changes in status, such as those
surrounding birth, marriage, and death
 Rituals are used to unite believers and reinforce faith. Some focus on
giving thanks to divine beings for the benefits that believers receive.
 Rituals generally include sacred symbols of the specific religion.
(Particularly clothing, herbs, chalices, crosses, books etc.)
 Religious symbols are often used only in special places on special days
to emphasize their sacred character.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Functions of Religion
(continued)
 Belief Systems
 Religions found around the world vary
considerably in the content of their belief systems.
 In general belief systems can be organized into
three basic types:
 Animism
 Theism
 Ethicalism
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Belief Systems
ANIMISM: Spirits active in influencing
human life but
not worshipped. Rituals thank or win
spirits’ good will.
THEISM: Belief in god or gods. God
is divine power worthy of worship.
Shamanism Spirits communicate with
one person (shaman). Shamans can
heal sick, predict future.
Totemism Kinship between humans
and animals/natural objects—totems
Monotheism Belief in one god;
Examples: Judaism, Islam, Christianity;
organized structure, priesthood, rituals
Polytheism Multiple gods;
Example: Hinduism; usually one
powerful god and lesser gods
ETHICALISM: Based on set of
moral principles with sacred
quality.
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Involve meditation and purity of
thought and action; Examples:
Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism
HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Functions of Religion
(continued)
 Organizational Structures
 The organizational structure of religions can be categorized
into four types:
 Ecclesia- Organization in which all people in the society are
members by virtue of their birth.
 Denominations- Well established organization in which a
substantial portion of the population are members.
 Sects- Small organization that typically has split off from a
denomination because of doctrinal differences.
 Cults- Group founded on the revelations of a person believed to
have special knowledge.
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Religion in American Society
 Free from persecution
 Culturally diverse
 Highly valued but may be losing influence
 Separation of church and state
 Many believe in God but fewer are affiliated
with religious organizations and even fewer
attend services
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Section 2: The Sociology of Religion
Religion in American Society
(continued)
 Most Americans are monotheistic
 Protestants are most numerous, but the Roman
Catholic Church is the largest single
organization
 Rising participation in fundamentalist and
evangelical Christian groups
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON