UCLA Sociology/ Education

Optional

• Include quotes from class readings; if you do, proper citation rules apply, for example, (author’s last name, year published, page number).
• Include material from lecture slides; if you do, cite lecture as, for example, (Week 4). Do not plagiarize lecture slides!
• Include a reference list at the end.

Functionalist Theory & Conflict Theory – For each question, your answer should be 3-5 paragraphs.

1. Functionalists’ claims about inequality in society focus on differences between economic groups. Discuss three points or ideas the Functionalists use to explain why there is economic inequality in society. Another way to think about this is – Discuss three reasons the Functionalists offer to explain why there is economic inequality in society.
2. Functionalists’ ideas about the functions of education focus on the ways in which schools help maintain society over time (across many generations), specifically societies that have a formal class structure. Discuss three points or ideas the Functionalists use to explain the purposes of education in society. Another way to think about this is – Discuss three reasons the Functionalists offer to explain how schools help sustain societies over time.
3. Conflict Theorists also take an economic approach to explaining inequality in society, but in ways very different than Functionalists.

Discuss four points or ideas the Conflict Theorists use to explain why there is economic inequality in society. If it’s useful, you can discuss these four points or ideas as critiques of Functionalists’ ideas.

1. Conflict Theorists also claim that schools function to help maintain society over time.

Discuss four points or ideas the Conflict Theorists use to explain the purposes of education in society. Another way to think about this is – Discuss four reasons the Conflict Theorists offer to explain how schools sustain societies over time. If it’s useful, you can discuss these four points as critiques of Functionalists’ ideas.

Wilcox article – In 3-4 paragraphs, answer the following about Wilcox’s research.

1. How would Conflict Theorists explain the differences between the Smith classroom and the Huntington classroom? Be sure to give details about each classroom’s environment, curriculum, and the role of the teacher.