SOCIOL 1A06 Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Education.docx

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOCIOL 1A06
• Professor: Tina Fetner

Document Summary

Describe the two main functions of schools. Define education, in sociological terms, as well as functional illiteracy( ), innumeracy(no ), and human capital. Summarize the various ways schools can be used, and have been used, to socialize students. Explain the concept of schools as sorting machines and contingent arguments that schools reproduce societal inequalities. Summarize what was learned about achievement differences among schools in the 1966. Coleman report and explain why the results were surprising to many people. Describe the results of studies on the effect of class size on educational achievement. Explain the significance of findings about differences in educational achievement in public schools and private schools. Define the concept of tracking as used in education and explain its potential positive and negative effects. Explain why the classroom is one of the most socially intimate spaces in society. Define the pygmalion effect and explain how it can be positive or negative.