Does Education Enable Western Democracies?

Sociology is the study the different aspects of humanity and society. It encompasses a very broad and varying range of topics. It can be studied on a large world-wide scale spanning across several countries, which is called Macrosociology. It can also be studied on a small scale looking at only individual families or neighborhoods, which is called Microsociology. Not only does it peer into humans’ interactions with each other but examines why they act the way they do. It considers the environment, as well as how access to different luxuries can contribute to the people that we become. In this fascinating field there are three primary views on exactly what the fundamental driving force behind society is. Symbolic Interactionalism, the belief that symbols and the meaning that they are given, define how we will perceive life, in this philosophy these meanings are influenced by society and the events of individual lives. Functional Analysis, views society as any other organism, in this theory all parts of the whole must work together cohesively to function. Conflict theory takes a somewhat opposite view than Functionalism, this perspective suggests that rather than wanting to work in unison, society’s underlying motive is a power struggle for resources. Over the course of this paper the reader will explore these different perspectives.

The last sociological perspective and the most challenging to recognize is symbolic interaction. Symbolic interaction focuses on how human beings interpret symbols and communicate and forge a sense of self ( Halperin, 2/13/15). Symbolic interaction has five/six questions that need to be answered “What communication is taking place? What symbols are being used &/or how is the communication taking place? How does the communication shape perception? How are the parties being influenced by their interaction with one another? What social roles are being played out? (Halperin. 2/13/15).

Symbolic interactionism of sociology is defined in our book as “a theoretical perspective in which society is viewed and composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another (Henslin Pg 162)”. In medical terms, this means that illness and health are merely social constructs constructed by doctors and physicians. The concept of an illness or medical condition only exist if it is accepted by a society.

The symbolic interaction view focuses primarily on the individual and how they perceive themselves in the work place or job market. Social stratification and technology also play a part in this issue. What a person does for a living reflects on how that person see’s their life. If a person works at a dull mundane or repetitious job, their views on their personal life may be similar. Those working in an exciting and progressive field may see their life reflecting this. This is not to say one is better than the other, both types of job are needed within society. Often education plays an enormous role in one’s career choice. Many skilled trades often have traits at both ends of the spectrum, offering job satisfaction with moments of frustration with work. This is often related to education and technology. Primarily the more education one has the better income one may earn. This does not mean that money can buy

Expansion of education is closely related to idealistic views of democracy. In developing and wealthy nations, education is valued because it helps the individual mind to develop capabilities. In contrast, education has also been seen as a way to promote equality. Having access to public education, in theory, has the potential to reduce poverty and promote equality. If all are entitled to the same public education, not to mention they are required by law, why do school systems seem segregate their students? Researchers have searched for the answer and have theorized that economic background, tracking, and hidden curriculum are a few things that help contribute to the imaginary lines drawn between students in society.

Yet even with these realizations that delve into the deeper meaning of education, modern education is still calling for simple measurable outcomes and continues to be geared towards specific employment ideas. This model of education is blatantly inadequate though. Many students today will end up holding jobs not yet invented in fields not yet discovered, so the teaching of answers to today’s questions is utterly useless. Albert Einstein once said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” and this statement reigns true throughout time. To continue academic success, the education system needs to impart a mastery of one’s own mind that allows students to not only answer current questions but also to pose questions that will shape the future world.

The history discipline will cover the past that leads to the current social issue. Secondly, sociology discipline will be used to examine the socio-effects of this social issue. Also, the theory linked to the essay is from the field of study: sociology. Indeed, symbolic interactionism theory stipulates that people communicate and participate

Schools all across the country claim the main reason for no doing so, as of now, is because they do not have the proper technology to teach the topic effectively. Fortunately, the technology that Gage has created is an affordable and efficient solution to the school’s dilemma. By teaching basics of the science, children may have an inclination to study neuroscience in later years, such as college. The few amount of neuroscientists in the world now can be blamed on schools for not giving baseline information to students, and therefore not allowing them to become interested neuroscience. Traditionally, even if one expressed enthusiasm in the topic, it would take years of schooling until one could even use the tools available for scientists. Twenty percent of the world suffer from a neurological disorder, and no cure has been found for these diseases. This is partly because of the fact that not many people study neuroscience and therefore is a lack of information in the field. By using Gage’s new technology in schools to help explain neuroscience, the topic would become more popular, and because of this, society as a whole could grow to learn more about the study of the brain, which would benefit everybody in the long

Social conflict also focuses on macro-sociology. Symbolic interaction paradigm says society functions well through interactions. Communication is spreaded through symbols created by society. Social interaction is important, because it causes social change. Many variables such as behavior events are explained through social contact with others. The people are the ones who determine what is reality, and what is not reality. Life works in a dramatization point of view. Symbolic interaction paradigm focuses on the small issues that affect communities in society, therefore making it a micro-level orientation. Functionalist paradigm sees society as a well integrated, self-regulating system that meets people’s needs. While Social conflict views society having many groups that are self reliant, with their own goals and needs. Symbolic interaction explains society is shaped, and constructed through interaction, and communication with others.

The role of education is to educate individuals within society and to prepare and qualify them for work in the economy as well as helping to integrate individuals into society and teach them the norms, values and morals of society. Yet there are three sociological theories that differ greatly between them on the role of education. These are Functionalism, Marxism and Liberalism.

Identify the four major sociological theoretical paradigms. For each, what are the key tenets? How does each explain how society works?

Academics regularly debate of whether the education system is meritocratic, which is a system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement. With this system hard work, ability and effort are rewarded so everyone who studies has an equal chance of success. This idea of meritocratic seems fair, you get rewarded on what effort you put in, but in modern societies, there are huge issues on inequality so a student’s educational attainment, could be heavily influenced by what class, gender or race they are.

There are three main theories of sociology; functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism. This paper will focus on two of those theories, functionalism and conflict theory. The objective is to delineate the assumptions of two out of the three theoretical perspectives and apply these assumptions to an analysis of social stratification. How this will be accomplished will be by comparing and contrasting their assumptions and by analyzing the two theories affect on social stratification. Then I will state my opinion on which of the two better fits my personal sociological views. Functionalism is many people's way to view the world sociologically. It states clearly that the

The relation between the study of how people act towards each other and education is a subject of debate. One idea says education is meant to overcome where two things are not the same. Whereas other says the most important function of education is helping to increase balance status of good people in the world and to maintain inequality whatever state it comes in. I will focus on three areas that affects the educations of Socialogy. The first area is Structural Functionalism.

In order for a society to function, individuals must be productive members of that society. This is accomplished through education. The philosophy of education is determined by society. As society changes so does the concept of education.