Lecture Notes Chapter 13

Lesson 13 Education and Religion

Learning objectives for Chapter 13

What are the key ideas concerning education and religion from the stand point of Conflict Theory, Functionalist Theory, and Symbolic Interactionalist Theory?

Is the education system a tool of the ruling class?

What are the major differences in the educational systems in the United States, Japan, Post-Soviet Russia, and Egypt?

How does education reproduce the existing class structure?

Know some of the problems found in the educational system such as mediocrity, social promotion, functional illiteracy, and violence.

Vocabulary to learn from Chapter 13

beliefs

church

credential society

cult

doctrines (also called myths)

dominant culture and dominant religions

ecclesia

latent functions in education

legitimation of social inequalities (both education and religion)

manifest functions in education

religion and capitalism (Durkhiem)

religious experiences

rituals

sect

secularization and its impact on religion

self-fulfilling prophecies

symbols and icons

teacher expectations

Discussion

Education

Theories of education require differing skill levels of different degree levels. For an example, public school seeks to help students learn a great deal of information. By the time a person graduates from high school, they should have at least 20,000 words in their vocabulary. College is different. The goal now is critical thinking and mastering writing skills. By the time the student graduates with a BS or BA, their vocabulary should consist of at least 40,000 words. But more importantly, their critical thinking skills should be honed very well.

Graduate school is, again, different. Beyond the critical thinking and writing skills, here the goal is the ability to conduct original research. By now the student recognizes the weaknesses in social research (as presented in textbooks) and attempts to either affirm or reject those earlier notions.

The PhD level includes specialization in a chosen field and the creation of new knowledge. This student may be on the cutting edge of discovery rather than testing old theories, if they wish to get published.

In college, students learn to read textbooks differently than they did in public school. Since more information is conveyed in a shorter time than high school, a new method is needed:

First go to the back of the chapter and read the summary. That will help you see the overall information and help to zero in on areas that you may not have a background in.

Second, study the vocabulary which is usually found in the back of the chapter. Different disciplines use similar words differently, so it is critical that you learn the proper definitions as given in the text.

Third, study the pictures, read the charts or any examples given in the chapter. This will fortify that which you have already been exposed to.

Fourth, read the parts of the chapter that you need to for an in-depth understanding of areas that you do not quite understand.

It is best to spread out your chapter study over a week, if possible. This allows you to learn using "spaced repetition" which is superior to trying to read the whole thing in one setting.

As you age it also is increasingly important that you have a good experience with the learning process. If you are studying a subject that you do not care for, try eating something pleasant to you while you study. This will tie a good experience to the learning effort and will result in greater retention.

Most students must work their way through college. Because of this, the average time it now takes to get a 4 year degree has jumped to 8.8 years.

Some types of work, part-time or otherwise, may be in your best interest if the job is related to the major that you are studying for in college. Many future employers will be interested in what practical experience you have had that relates to the job they may offer you.

If you qualify for work study programs in college, try to work in the department of your chosen major or at least in an allied field. Check with the college student services to find out about internships in your field (they may pay you or they may be a volunteer position that will go very well on your resume).

One way to cut the cost of attending college is to cut the number of classes that you have to take. If you have done AP classes in high school, that will help. There are also CLEP tests that will help you gain credits without having to take classes. It is best to do the National CLEP tests, however, to make sure that they are transferable.

Department scholarships are often missed because students usually think only of academic or sports scholarships. Very often these department scholarships go unused.

Religion

Some theorists have commented on religion as a whole: Karl Marx called religion the "opium of the masses." He saw it as a way for the rich and powerful to control the masses by telling them to wait for a future reward.

Durkhiem saw religion as communal cohesion, social engine for change, personal support, and defining of the group's energies.

Mead, in Symbolic Interactionalism, noted the great many and important symbols or icons found in all religions as they define the sacredness of ideas and motivated men to action.

But there are many types of religion, including civic religion (the governing body of public affairs), the institutional religion (including the clergy) and a unique blending of religious pluralism found in Americans today.

Main types of religious organizations of belief:

1- Simple Supernaturalism (may the force be with you)

2- Animism (knock on wood, etc.)

3- Theisms, including polytheism, atheism, and monotheism. The latter has three great branches: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

4- Transcendentalism (improve, transcend your current state) which includes self-help books as well as movements such as Buddhism.

5- Agnosticism (how can I know if there is a God? There are too many competing ideas)

Movies assigned

Chapter 13 Education and Religion

Videos that you can rent which are based upon some of the principles of this lesson:

Education

Atomic Age Classics (lessons taught in public schools)

Dante's Peak (education can save lives)

Religion

Islam Empire of Faith

The Sound of Music

Signs


				*SLCC Students* *Lecture Notes Chapter 13*



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		Lesson 13 Education and Religion Learning objectives for Chapter 13 What are the key ideas concerning education and religion from the stand point of Conflict Theory, Functionalist Theory, and Symbolic Interactionalist Theory? Is the education system a tool of the ruling class? What are the major differences in the educational systems in the United States, Japan, Post-Soviet Russia, and Egypt? How does education reproduce the existing class structure? Know some of the problems found in the educational system such as mediocrity, social promotion, functional illiteracy, and violence. Vocabulary to learn from Chapter 13 beliefs church credential society cult doctrines (also called myths) dominant culture and dominant religions ecclesia latent functions in education legitimation of social inequalities (both education and religion) manifest functions in education religion and capitalism (Durkhiem) religious experiences rituals sect secularization and its impact on religion self-fulfilling prophecies symbols and icons teacher expectations Discussion Education Theories of education require differing skill levels of different degree levels. For an example, public school seeks to help students learn a great deal of information. By the time a person graduates from high school, they should have at least 20,000 words in their vocabulary. College is different. The goal now is critical thinking and mastering writing skills. By the time the student graduates with a BS or BA, their vocabulary should consist of at least 40,000 words. But more importantly, their critical thinking skills should be honed very well. Graduate school is, again, different. Beyond the critical thinking and writing skills, here the goal is the ability to conduct original research. By now the student recognizes the weaknesses in social research (as presented in textbooks) and attempts to either affirm or reject those earlier notions. The PhD level includes specialization in a chosen field and the creation of new knowledge. This student may be on the cutting edge of discovery rather than testing old theories, if they wish to get published. In college, students learn to read textbooks differently than they did in public school. Since more information is conveyed in a shorter time than high school, a new method is needed: First go to the back of the chapter and read the summary. That will help you see the overall information and help to zero in on areas that you may not have a background in. Second, study the vocabulary which is usually found in the back of the chapter. Different disciplines use similar words differently, so it is critical that you learn the proper definitions as given in the text. Third, study the pictures, read the charts or any examples given in the chapter. This will fortify that which you have already been exposed to. Fourth, read the parts of the chapter that you need to for an in-depth understanding of areas that you do not quite understand. It is best to spread out your chapter study over a week, if possible. This allows you to learn using "spaced repetition" which is superior to trying to read the whole thing in one setting. As you age it also is increasingly important that you have a good experience with the learning process. If you are studying a subject that you do not care for, try eating something pleasant to you while you study. This will tie a good experience to the learning effort and will result in greater retention. Most students must work their way through college. Because of this, the average time it now takes to get a 4 year degree has jumped to 8.8 years. Some types of work, part-time or otherwise, may be in your best interest if the job is related to the major that you are studying for in college. Many future employers will be interested in what practical experience you have had that relates to the job they may offer you. If you qualify for work study programs in college, try to work in the department of your chosen major or at least in an allied field. Check with the college student services to find out about internships in your field (they may pay you or they may be a volunteer position that will go very well on your resume). One way to cut the cost of attending college is to cut the number of classes that you have to take. If you have done AP classes in high school, that will help. There are also CLEP tests that will help you gain credits without having to take classes. It is best to do the National CLEP tests, however, to make sure that they are transferable. Department scholarships are often missed because students usually think only of academic or sports scholarships. Very often these department scholarships go unused. Religion Some theorists have commented on religion as a whole: Karl Marx called religion the "opium of the masses." He saw it as a way for the rich and powerful to control the masses by telling them to wait for a future reward. Durkhiem saw religion as communal cohesion, social engine for change, personal support, and defining of the group's energies. Mead, in Symbolic Interactionalism, noted the great many and important symbols or icons found in all religions as they define the sacredness of ideas and motivated men to action. But there are many types of religion, including civic religion (the governing body of public affairs), the institutional religion (including the clergy) and a unique blending of religious pluralism found in Americans today. Main types of religious organizations of belief: 1- Simple Supernaturalism (may the force be with you) 2- Animism (knock on wood, etc.) 3- Theisms, including polytheism, atheism, and monotheism. The latter has three great branches: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 4- Transcendentalism (improve, transcend your current state) which includes self-help books as well as movements such as Buddhism. 5- Agnosticism (how can I know if there is a God? There are too many competing ideas) Movies assigned Chapter 13 Education and Religion Videos that you can rent which are based upon some of the principles of this lesson: Education Atomic Age Classics (lessons taught in public schools) Dante's Peak (education can save lives) Religion Islam Empire of Faith The Sound of Music Signs



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*Lecture notes Chapter 14*