GCSE Sociology — Education

Led by Willisian Education Simulacrum

Education as an agent of socialisation — the functionalist, Marxist, and feminist theories; the processes inside schools that shape achievement; and the patterns and factors of attainment by class, gender, and ethnicity.

1. Module 1

   Theories of the Role of Education

   Led by Correspondence Education Simulacrum

   The question

   What is school really for? You will study the conflict-versus-consensus debate through the functionalist theory (Durkheim on norms and values, Parsons on meritocracy), the Marxist correspondence theory (Bowles and Gintis), and the feminist critique of patriarchal schools (Becky Francis).

   Outcome

   You can argue the functionalist, Marxist, and feminist views of education against one another.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 1.1 The Functionalist View Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 1.2 The Marxist and Feminist Views Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Begin the course → Print certificate of completion
2. Module 2

   Processes Inside Schools

   Led by Willisian Education Simulacrum

   The question

   How does what happens inside a school shape achievement? You will study labelling (Hargreaves), the hidden curriculum, streaming, anti-school subcultures (Willis), teacher expectations (Ball), and the self-fulfilling prophecy.

   Outcome

   You can trace how an internal school process turns into a pupil's outcome.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 2.1 Labelling, the Hidden Curriculum, and Streaming Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 2.2 Subcultures, Expectations, and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion
3. Module 3

   Patterns and Factors of Achievement

   Led by Willisian Education Simulacrum

   The question

   Who succeeds at school, and why? You will study the patterns of attainment by gender, class, and ethnicity, then the factors behind them — class (material factors/Halsey, school type/Ball, counter-school cultures/Willis), ethnicity (racism, curriculum, labelling), and gender (feminisation of schools, crisis of masculinity).

   Outcome

   You can account for a pattern of attainment by combining material, cultural, and in-school factors.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 3.1 Patterns of Attainment and Class Factors Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 3.2 Ethnicity and Gender Factors Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion