EDTE 102 Social Foundations of Education in Ghana - Week 3 Lecture 3 Sociology of Education PDF

EDTE 102: SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION IN GHANA Dr. Priscilla Commey Mintah Week 3; Lecture 3 Lecture 3  In this lecture, you will be able to explain: 1. Definition of Sociology 2. Definition, Components, and Types o...

EDTE 102: SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION IN GHANA Dr. Priscilla Commey Mintah Week 3; Lecture 3 Lecture 3  In this lecture, you will be able to explain: 1. Definition of Sociology 2. Definition, Components, and Types of Learning Society Outcomes 3. Definition and Scope of Sociology of Education 4. Importance of studying Sociology of Education What Is Sociology? 1. The scientific study of society and human behaviour (Henslin, 2003:4) 2. The scientific study of groups and group interactions, societies and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups. 3. Sociology forces us to look at the social processes that influence our thoughts, perceptions, and actions, and helps us see how social change occurs and the impact we can have on others. (Newman, 1995:495)  What Do Sociologists Do? Sociologist's study …. 1. All the different parts and levels of society – i.e. micro & macro a. Micro-levels Of Society – studies interactions between individuals or small groups. Example – When a Legon boy says I love you does he really mean? Is it Real or just wants sex? b. Macro-levels Of Society - look at trends between large groups and societies. Example - Are Ghanaian men more romantic compared to Nigerian Men? Why Are Africans usually late? 2. Patterns of behaviour between people when they are interacting with one another in small or larger groups  What Is A Society? 1. A group of people who live in defined communities, interact with one another, and shares similar culture 2. Consists of the people and institutions around us, our shared beliefs, and our cultural ideas  Other Meanings Of Society A society may consist of … 1. Like-minded people governed by their own norms and values within a dominant, larger society – example naturalists society, gangs, alcoholic society etc. 2. Different ethnic and cultural groups - A society can be a particular ethnic group, such as the Dagombas; or a nation state such as Togo; or a broader cultural group, such as a Western society. 3. Organized voluntary association of people - for religious, charity, cultural, scientific, political, or other purposes.  What Is A Community?  Community comes from latin word communitas, which means shared in common and public spirit. Community, therefore, is, ❖A group of people living in the same place or having common interests, likeness and characteristics such as ideology, religion, language, age, sex, family and kinship, profession, residence etc.  Forms Of 1. Family 4. Religious sect Community 2. Neighborhood 5. Social groups 3. School What Is The Difference Between A Society And A Community?  1. A Society is bigger than a Community – Society is a consolidation of different communities, whereas community is a collection of families or tribes 2. Members of a society have different interests and characteristics whereas members of a community have similar and sometimes the same interests and characteristics 3. Communities are the building blocks of society whereas societies are the building blocks of nations 4. Community may be limited to a small specific area, society may extend its coverage 5. There is a stronger attachment to one another in a community compared to society  Modern societies and communities can be… 1. Visible – Physical e.g. neighborhood, university, associations, 2. Invisible –Virtual eg. online, social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, facebook, Instagram, Tiktok Types Of Societies 1. Hunter-gatherer Societies - a. Rely solely on nature for survival - survives by hunting animals, fishing, and gathering plants b. Highly Mobile – moves from one place to the other staying in temporal and natural structures like caves c. Small Societies - less than 50 members 2. Pastoral Societies – members … a. Domesticate Animals – bread and rear animals for food and transportation b. Geographically Stable – live in tents but may occasionally move to feed animals 3. Horticultural Societies – members of this society a. Moved from place to place in search of lands with good soil and reliable water source for irrigation b. Domesticated fruits, vegetables, and plants with simple farm inputs like cutlass and hoes c. Built permanent settlements 4. Agricultural Societies: a. Used advanced technology such as the plough, tractors, irrigation system etc.in farming and animal husbandry which led to ‘Agricultural Revolution’ b. Able to cultivate large areas with high agricultural yield enough to sell extra 3. Agricultural Revolution made farming possible and profitable 4. Increases in food supplies led to larger populations and centers of trade to support rulers, educators 5. People had the time and comfort to engage in more contemplative and thoughtful activities, such as music, poetry, and philosophy. 6. The period was referred to as the “dawn of civilization” because of the development of leisure and humanities. 5. Feudal Societies - feudalism was a form of society based on ownership of land. a. These societies maintained a strict hierarchical system of power based on land ownership and protection. b. The kings, placed vassal (person gaining the land) and in charge of lands. c. In return for the resources that the land provided, vassals promised to fight for their lords. d. These individual pieces of land, known as fiefdoms, were cultivated by the lower class. e. In return for maintaining the land, peasants were guaranteed a place to live and protection from outside enemies. f. Power was handed down through family lines, with peasant families serving lords for generations and generations.  6. Industrial Society a. Dramatic increase in technological invention, such as railways, steam engines, mechanized factories, phones, boats, pharmaceuticals, airplane. b. Inventions made the production of goods easier, faster and better which led to making more profits c. As productivity increased, means of transportation improved to better facilitate the transfer of products from place to place. d. Great wealth was attained by the few who owned factories, and the “masses” found jobs working in the factories. e. Economists and Sociologists called this era as the Industrial Revolution f. Started in Britain and spread to other parts of the world  7. POSTINDUSTRIAL SOCIETY a. Also known as information societies, or digital societies. b. Unlike industrial societies that are rooted in the production of material goods, information societies are based on the production of information and services. c. Digital technology is the steam engine of information societies, and computer d. Since the economy of information societies is driven by knowledge and not material goods, power lies with those in charge of storing and distributing information. e. Members of a postindustrial society are likely to be employed as sellers of services—software programmers or business consultants, for example—instead of producers of goods. f. Social classes are divided by access to education,  What Are The Components Of A Society? The Component/Structure of a Society Economy Education Politics Culture Marriage & Religion Medicine Technology Family Security SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION? ❖Sociology of education is defined as a study of the relationship between education and society. ❖It is an investigation of the sociological processes involved in an educational institution. ❖It is concerned with educational aims, methods, institutions, administration and curricula in relation to the economic, political, religious, social and cultural forces of the society in which they function. ❖ Sociology of education emphasizes sociological aspects of educational phenomena and institutions. What is the Scope of Sociology of Education? Sociology of Education … 1. Examines the impact a society’s economy has on the type of education provided to learners in the society Eg. Will education in higher income societies affect the quality of education delivery for learners? 2. Deals with analysis of educational situations in various geographical and ethnological contexts. 3. Studies the effect of various social agencies like family, health, security etc. on students and educational institutions 4. It studies the relationship between social class, culture, language, parental education, occupation and the achievement of the students. 5. It studies the role and structure of school, peer group on the personality on learners. 6. It provides an understanding of the problems such as racism, communalism, gender discrimination etc. in society and educational institutions 7. It studies the role of schools in the socialization of learners. 8. It promotes research studies related to planning, organization and application of various theories in education. How Sociology Of Education Deals With The Subject Of Education Sociology deals with the process of education under 4 broad categories 1. The educational process as an aspect of social interaction 2. The school as a social group (micro-society, rules govern activities). 3. The influence of other social institutions upon the institutions of education (health, economy). 4. The functions of society as regards the institutions of education (the role society plays concerning educational institutions, such as, provision of lands, accommodation for teachers and motivation of pupils and teachers) - (Ezewu et al.,1988) Importance Of Sociology Of Education 1. Provides insight into how education can be used as an effective tool of socialization in a community, society, nation and the world at large 2. Helps to discover ways by which education can be used to bring about positive changes in a society 3. Helps to align the philosophy, needs and aspirations of a society with its educational institutions, processes and systems. 4. Provides understanding into the effectiveness of different educational methods in teaching students with different kinds of intelligences. 5. It helps us to understand the effect of various social agencies like family, school on education vise versa 6. Helps in the development of national curriculum in relation to the cultural and economic needs of the society 7. Help us to understand and tolerate different societies and cultures 8. Helps in national integration and development 9. Helps to maintain social and cultural heritage and lagacies 10.Need for understanding and promoting international culture  Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not preparation for life but is life itself. John Dewey