AQA A-Level Sociology: Education with Theory and Methods

Overview

• Focus: AQA A-Level Sociology Paper 1 (Education section)
• Total Marks: 80 (Education section: 50 marks)
• Duration: 2 hours
• Topics Covered: Functionalism, Marxism, Social Policy, Globalization, International School Relationships, Social Class, Gender, Ethnicity

1. Functionalism

Key Theorists

• Durkheim: Education socializes individuals into shared norms and values, promoting social solidarity (community sense).
• Parsons: School serves as a bridge between family (particularistic standards) and society (universalistic standards). Education is meritocratic.
• Davis and Moore: Role allocation through education by sifting high achievers.

Critiques

• Marxists argue education induces false consciousness.
• Meritocracy is seen as a myth due to unequal chances of success (class, gender).
• New Right supports meritocracy, emphasizing individual responsibility.

2. Marxism

Key Ideas

• Althusser: Education as an ideological state apparatus, maintaining bourgeois power.
• Bowles and Gintis: Correspondence principle - school mirrors workplace expectations.
• Paul Willis: Critiques brainwashing, noting rebellion in education (learning to labor study).

Critiques

• Overemphasis on class, ignoring gender and ethnicity.
• Marxists disagree on class inequality achievements.

3. Social Policy and Education

Historical Policies

• 1944 Education Act: Introduced tripartite system and 11+ exams.
• 1965 Comprehensive Education: Abolished selection at age 11.
• 1988 Education Reform Act: Introduced marketization with testing, national curriculum.

New Labour and Conservative Policies

• Specialist schools, City Academies, Sure Start centers.
• Trebling tuition fees, pupil premium, exam reforms.

4. Globalization and Education

Key Impacts

• Facilitated through technology, increased international migration.
• Education policies aim for global competitiveness (PISA rankings).
• Commodification of students and multicultural curriculum changes.

5. International School Relationships

Internal Processes

• Hidden curriculum influences extrinsic motivation.
• Labeling and self-fulfilling prophecy affect student identity and achievement.
• Setting and streaming impact student grouping and educational outcomes.

6. Social Class and Education

Material Deprivation

• Impacts educational resources, housing, diet, and overall achievement.
• Statistic disparity between students on free school meals and others.

Cultural Capital

• Middle-class students benefit from cultural, educational, and economic capital.
• Working-class culture seen as inferior, impacting educational success.

7. Gender Inequality in Education

Performance and Environment

• Females outperform males due to feminized schooling and lack of male role models.
• Subject choice influenced by gender norms, impacting career outcomes.

8. Ethnicity and Education Inequality

Cultural Deprivation and Material Factors

• Ethnic minorities face language barriers, cultural biases in education.
• Despite material deprivation, some minority groups outperform white students.

Racism and Wider Society

• Education reflects societal racism, impacting opportunities and outcomes for ethnic minorities.

Final Notes

• Stay informed on key studies and critiques.
• Utilize diagrams and real-world examples to illustrate points.
• Engage with diverse viewpoints and criticisms to enhance understanding.