AQA A Level Sociology: Education with Theory and Methods

Overview

• Focus on Paper One: Education (part of the AQA A Level Sociology)
• Paper is 80 marks, 2 hours total
  • Education section: 50 marks, four questions

Topics Covered

1. Functionalism

   • Social Solidarity (Durkheim)
     • Education socializes people into shared norms and values
     • Assemblies and school practices create a sense of community
     • Criticism: Marxists see education as ideological indoctrination
   • Parsons’ Bridge Theory and Meritocracy
     • School is a bridge between family and society
     • Teaches universalistic standards
     • Criticism: Meritocracy is a myth; not all students have equal chances
   • Role Allocation (Davis and Moore)
     • Education allocates roles based on ability and achievement
     • Criticism: Social inequalities persist; middle/upper-class dominance

2. Marxism

   • Education as Ideological State Apparatus (Althusser)
     • Education reproduces and justifies inequalities
     • Ethnocentric curriculum and hidden curriculum
   • Correspondence Principle (Bowles and Gintis)
     • Schools mirror workplace expectations
     • Hidden curriculum perpetuates passive, obedient workers
   • Paul Willis’ Learning to Labour
     • Neo-Marxist study of working-class boys rebelling against school norms
   • Strengths and Weaknesses
     • Highlights systemic inequalities but is criticized for class focus

3. Social Policy and Education

   • 1944 Education Act
     • Tripartite system; criticized for reinforcing class divisions
   • 1965 Comprehensive Education Act
     • Aimed to reduce inequality; criticisms include private school persistence
   • Education Reform Act 1988
     • Introduction of marketization and competition
   • New Labour Policies
     • Specialist schools, academies, Sure Start centers
   • Conservative Education Policies
     • Tuition fees increase, pupil premium, and exam reforms

4. Globalization

   • Increasing interconnectedness
   • Impacts on education policy and curriculum

5. Internal School Processes

   • Hidden Curriculum
     • Hidden lessons taught in schools
   • Labeling and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
     • Teachers' expectations impact student achievement
   • Setting and Streaming
     • Grouping students by ability; potential stigmatization
   • Subcultures
     • Pro-school and anti-school subcultures

6. Social Class and Education

   • Material Deprivation
     • Impact on educational resources and achievement
   • Cultural Deprivation
     • Influence of speech patterns and subcultural values
   • Cultural Capital (Bourdieu)
     • Middle-class advantages in navigating education

7. Gender and Education

   • Girls outperform boys but face gendered subject choices
   • Criticisms of feminized education environment

8. Ethnicity and Education

   • Cultural Deprivation
     • Impact on reasoning and language skills
   • Material Deprivation
     • Disparities in income and housing affecting education
   • Racism and Wider Society
     • Institutional racism affecting educational outcomes

Conclusion

• This session discussed the education aspect of AQA A Level Sociology Paper One.
• Upcoming sessions will cover theory and methods. Suggestions and feedback for improvement are welcome.

Note: This summary is based on a lecture-style presentation for educational purposes and might lack professional expertise. Further reading and consultation with educational resources are recommended.