PDE 709 (SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION

 PDE 709 (SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION) SATURDAY 26^TH JULY 2025 NOTE AND PAST QUESTION NOTE FOR EXAM

Let’s go through PDE-109: Sociology of Education. I’ll explain what each question is asking you to do, and then immediately provide a complete answer. This format will help you understand and respond correctly in your exam or assignment.

 

1. Explain in detail the meaning of sociology of education.

✅ What you're asked to do:
Define and explain what sociology of education is and what it deals with.

✅ Answer:
Sociology of education is the study of how society and education influence each other. It examines the role of education in social development, how cultural norms and values are transmitted through schooling, and how educational systems reflect and maintain social structures. It helps us understand how factors such as class, gender, religion, and ethnicity affect access to education and learning outcomes.

 

2. Justify the place of sociological perspective in explaining educational issues.

✅ What you're asked to do:
Explain why looking at education through a sociological lens is important.

✅ Answer:
A sociological perspective helps us understand how education functions within society. It reveals inequalities in access to education, shows how education maintains or challenges social norms, and explains how institutions shape individual behavior. For example, it helps explain why students from richer backgrounds often perform better, or how schools can reproduce societal class divisions. Sociologists also study teacher-student relationships, peer influence, and the curriculum to improve educational policy and practice.

 

3. (a) Define the concept culture and explain any SIX (6) of its characteristics.

✅ What you're asked to do:
Define "culture" and list six things that describe it.

✅ Answer:
Culture is the way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, values, norms, customs, arts, and language.

Six Characteristics of Culture:

1. Learned: Culture is not inherited but learned through interaction.
2. Shared: It is shared among members of a group or society.
3. Transmitted: Culture is passed from one generation to another.
4. Dynamic: Culture changes over time.
5. Integrated: Different parts of culture are connected (e.g., religion, food, dress).
6. Symbolic: Culture uses symbols like language, art, and gestures to convey meaning.

 

(b) Discuss the relationship between culture and education.

✅ What you're asked to do:
Explain how culture and education are connected.

✅ Answer:
Education is a means through which culture is transmitted. Schools teach cultural values, language, norms, and beliefs to new generations. Culture also shapes the curriculum, teaching methods, and student behavior. Without culture, education would have no content to pass on. Similarly, education helps preserve, promote, and sometimes reform culture.

 

4. (a) What do you understand by the concept 'socialization'?

✅ What you're asked to do:
Define socialization clearly.

✅ Answer:
Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, norms, and skills needed to function in society. It begins at birth and continues throughout life, helping people understand how to behave and interact with others.

 

(b) Discuss the influence of family and school as agents of socialization.

✅ What you're asked to do:
Explain how family and school help shape a child’s behavior and beliefs.

✅ Answer:

• Family: The first agent of socialization. It teaches children basic values, language, customs, and behavior. It influences personality and emotional development.
• School: Introduces formal rules, discipline, and peer interaction. It socializes students into societal roles, responsibility, respect for authority, and cooperation.

 

5. (a) What is bureaucracy?

✅ What you're asked to do:
Define bureaucracy.

✅ Answer:
Bureaucracy is an organized system where tasks and responsibilities are divided and performed by officials following fixed rules and procedures. It is common in large institutions like schools and governments.

 

(b) State any FIVE (5) characteristics of bureaucracy and examine the extent to which the school exhibits these characteristics.

✅ What you're asked to do:
List five features of bureaucracy and show how schools have these traits.

✅ Answer:

Characteristics of Bureaucracy:

1. Hierarchy of Authority: Clear levels of power (e.g., principal, teachers, students).
2. Rules and Regulations: Schools follow strict policies.
3. Division of Labor: Staff roles are specialized (e.g., counsellors, librarians).
4. Impersonality: Decisions are based on rules, not personal feelings.
5. Record Keeping: Schools maintain official records like report cards and attendance.

How schools reflect these:
Schools have a structured chain of command, follow rules, and assign specific duties to staff. They also use official records and base treatment of students on policies.

 

6. Critically examine the relationship between the society, culture, and education.

✅ What you're asked to do:
Explain how these three — society, culture, and education — depend on and influence each other.

✅ Answer:
Society shapes education by setting goals and structures for what should be taught. Education, in turn, helps maintain and improve society by producing responsible citizens. Culture gives content to education (language, beliefs, history), while education transmits culture to new generations. Therefore, society provides the structure, culture provides the content, and education performs the function of transfer and development. They are interdependent and influence each other continuously.

 

Here's a full breakdown of what each question in your PDE 109: Sociology of Education exam is asking you to do, followed by clear, student-friendly answers.

 

1. (a) Explain the meaning of socialization. (5 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Define "socialization" and explain it simply.

✅ Answer:
Socialization is the process through which individuals learn the values, norms, beliefs, skills, and behaviors that are necessary for participation in society. It helps a child grow into a functioning member of society by teaching them how to relate with others and what is expected in different roles.

 

1. (b) Explain the roles of socialization agents in the socialization process of the child. (20 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: List and describe the different people or groups (agents) that help a child learn societal values.

✅ Answer:

Roles of Socialization Agents:

1. Family: Teaches language, values, and basic behavior. It is the first social group a child knows.
2. School: Teaches discipline, cooperation, authority, and academic skills. It prepares children for societal roles.
3. Peer Group: Teaches independence, teamwork, and friendship. Children learn to relate to equals.
4. Religion: Teaches morals, ethics, and spiritual beliefs. It shapes character and conscience.
5. Mass Media (TV, internet): Exposes children to global cultures, behaviors, and information. It influences thinking and lifestyle.

Each of these agents plays a key role in shaping the social, moral, and intellectual development of the child.

 

2. Describe any five (5) features of functionalism that relate to the study of education. (25 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: List five characteristics of functionalist theory and how they apply to education.

✅ Answer:

Features of Functionalism Related to Education:

1. Social Integration: Education helps unite individuals by teaching shared values and national identity.
2. Skill Development: Schools train students with skills needed for work and economic contribution.
3. Role Allocation: Education sorts people into appropriate roles based on ability and talent (e.g., leaders, workers).
4. Cultural Transmission: Education passes down societal norms, culture, and history to the next generation.
5. Social Control: Education teaches obedience, punctuality, and respect for rules and authority.

 

3. (a) Define the concept, 'Social Mobility'. (5 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Define "social mobility" clearly.

✅ Answer:
Social Mobility is the movement of individuals or groups from one social class or status to another, either upward or downward in a social hierarchy.

 

3. (b) Identify and explain the two (2) major types of social mobility. (10 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Name and describe two types of social mobility.

✅ Answer:

1. Vertical Mobility: This is the upward or downward movement of an individual in the social hierarchy. Example: A poor child becoming a doctor.
2. Horizontal Mobility: This is the movement within the same social class or level. Example: A teacher moving from one school to another without change in status.

 

3. (c) Describe five (5) ways family background influences the education of the child. (10 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Explain how a child’s home life affects their learning.

✅ Answer:

1. Parental Education Level: Educated parents tend to support their children’s learning better.
2. Income Level: Wealthy families can afford better schools and learning materials.
3. Home Environment: Peaceful and stimulating homes help children learn faster.
4. Parental Support: Encouraging parents increase motivation and confidence.
5. Language Exposure: Children from language-rich homes often perform better in school.

 

4. (a) Explain the major views of Marxist theory. (5 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: State what Marxism believes about society.

✅ Answer:
Marxist theory sees society as being divided into two classes: the rich (bourgeoisie) and the poor (proletariat). It believes education helps the rich maintain control by training the poor to accept their low position in society.

 

4. (b) Discuss five (5) implications of the views on education. (20 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Explain how Marxist ideas apply to education.

✅ Answer:

1. Class Reproduction: Schools prepare children from poor backgrounds for low-paying jobs.
2. Hidden Curriculum: Students are taught to obey authority and accept inequality.
3. Unequal Access: Wealthy children attend better schools, leading to better jobs.
4. Credentialism: Certificates are used to restrict top jobs to the elite.
5. Ideological Control: Schools promote the dominant class’s values and beliefs.

 

5. (a) Explain the roles of peer group and mass media as socialization agents of the child. (18 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Show how friends and media influence children’s development.

✅ Answer:

• Peer Group: Teaches children to share, cooperate, and become independent. Friends influence dressing, behavior, and even academic performance.
• Mass Media: Exposes children to global ideas, technology, language, and culture. Media can influence attitudes, fashion, and even career choices.

 

5. (b) Explain the importance of each of the roles mentioned above to the teacher. (7 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Say why teachers should care about peer and media influence.

✅ Answer:

• Teachers can use peer influence positively by encouraging group work and teamwork.
• Teachers must monitor the effects of media on students and teach media literacy.
• Understanding these roles helps teachers guide behavior, improve learning, and support social development.

 

6. (a) Define 'perspectives' in the context of sociology of education and specify its components. (5 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Define what a "perspective" is in sociology and list the main ones.

✅ Answer:
In sociology of education, perspectives are viewpoints used to study and explain social behavior and education. The main components are:

1. Functionalist perspective
2. Conflict (Marxist) perspective
3. Interactionist perspective

 

6. (b) Write short notes on the following: (20 marks)

✅ What you're asked to do: Briefly explain each term.

i. Interactionism: Focuses on small group interactions, such as teacher-student relationships, and how individuals give meaning to social behavior.

ii. Ethnomethodology: Studies the everyday methods people use to make sense of their world, especially in classroom interactions.

iii. Economic Determinism: The belief that the economy shapes all aspects of society, including education.

iv. Manifest and Latent Functions of Education:

• Manifest functions are intended (e.g., teaching literacy).
• Latent functions are unintended (e.g., forming friendships or social control).

 

✅ PDE 709: Sociology of Education – Breakdown and Complete Answers

 

1. (a) What is community?

✅ Meaning:
A community is a group of people living in the same geographical area or sharing common interests, values, and goals. Members interact regularly and share a sense of belonging.

 

1. (b) Differentiate between community and society

Community	Society
Smaller group with close personal relationships	Larger and more complex with diverse people and roles
Based on shared values, beliefs, and traditions	Based on laws, institutions, and organized systems
Often localized in a village, town, or neighborhood	May span cities, countries, or global networks

 

1. (c) State three (3) criteria to be fulfilled before any group could be considered a society

1. Common Culture: Members must share beliefs, values, language, and traditions.
2. Social Structure: There must be organized relationships, roles, and responsibilities.
3. Continuity and Stability: The group must exist over time and maintain order through rules or norms.

 

2. (a) Explain the term ‘culture’

✅ Definition:
Culture is the total way of life of a group of people. It includes their language, beliefs, customs, arts, morals, laws, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by individuals as members of society.

 

2. (b) Identify and explain five (5) contents of culture

1. Language: The method of communication, both spoken and written.
2. Values: Shared standards of what is right or wrong.
3. Norms: Accepted rules of behavior.
4. Customs and Traditions: Patterns of behavior passed down through generations.
5. Beliefs: Ideas accepted as true by a group.

 

3. (a) Define the concept 'social stratification'

✅ Definition:
Social stratification is the ranking or classification of individuals and groups into hierarchical layers based on wealth, power, education, or status.

 

3. (b) Enumerate and discuss three (3) elements of social stratification

1. Economic Class: Divides people based on income and wealth.
2. Status or Prestige: Refers to the respect or honor given to individuals.
3. Power: The ability to influence or control others.

 

4. Critically examine the school as a formal organization

✅ Answer:

A school is a formal organization because it has:

• Structured roles: Teachers, students, principals.
• Formal rules and procedures: Attendance, assessments, promotion.
• Set goals: To educate and train individuals.
• Hierarchy of authority: Head teacher → teachers → students.
• Use of resources: Buildings, books, curriculum, exams.

Schools are organized to systematically deliver education, maintain order, and evaluate performance.

 

5. The curriculum of the schools must be adapted to suit the environment, culture, and the needs of the people. Discuss.

✅ Answer:

• Relevance: Curriculum must reflect the realities of the learners' communities to remain meaningful.
• Cultural identity: Teaching local history, language, and values fosters pride and unity.
• Skill development: Students should be taught skills needed in their environment (e.g., farming in rural areas, ICT in cities).
• Problem-solving: Education should equip learners to address real-life issues in their society.
• Sustainability: Local knowledge and practices should be preserved and integrated.

 

6. Discuss the reciprocal relationship between education and economic growth

✅ Answer:

• Education promotes economic growth by producing skilled workers, increasing productivity, and fostering innovation.
• Economic growth supports education through better funding, improved infrastructure, and access to resources.
• Educated citizens contribute to the economy by creating businesses, paying taxes, and reducing dependency.
• A strong economy can afford quality education for more people, breaking the poverty cycle.

 

Here’s a clear explanation of what each question is asking you to do, followed by well-organized answers for your PDE-109 Sociology of Education exam:

 

1a. Distinguish between 'Sociology' and 'Sociology of Education'

✅ What you're being asked:
Explain the difference between general sociology and how it applies specifically to education.

✅ Answer:

Sociology	Sociology of Education
The study of human society, its structures, relationships, and institutions.	A branch of sociology that studies how education interacts with society.
Focuses on social behavior, culture, norms, and systems.	Focuses on how schools, teachers, and students function within society.
General study of society.	Specific focus on education within society.

 

1b. Explain the concept of 'Education' from the perspectives of Sociologists

✅ What you're being asked:
Give a sociologist’s view of education—not just classroom learning, but as a social tool.

✅ Answer:
From a sociological perspective, education is a social institution that:

• Transmits culture and values.
• Promotes socialization and integration.
• Prepares individuals for roles in society (workforce, citizenship).
• Acts as a means of social control and status mobility.

Sociologists like Emile Durkheim saw education as key to social stability, while Karl Marx viewed it as a tool to maintain class structure.

 

2a. Explain the concept of 'Society'

✅ Answer:
A society is a large group of individuals who share a common culture, territory, institutions, and social relationships. Members of a society interact and organize themselves through laws, customs, and shared norms.

 

2b. Identify and explain four (4) criteria to be fulfilled before any group could be considered a society

1. Common Territory: Members occupy a specific geographical area.
2. Shared Culture: Common language, beliefs, values, and practices.
3. Social Structure: Organized institutions and roles (e.g., family, government).
4. Social Interaction: Members interact regularly and recognize each other as part of a group.

 

3a. What does "Culture" mean?

✅ Answer:
Culture is the total way of life of a people, including their beliefs, customs, art, morals, language, laws, and traditions passed from generation to generation.

 

3b. Identify and explain any five (5) contents of culture

1. Language: The main tool of communication in a society.
2. Values: Shared beliefs about what is right or wrong.
3. Norms: Rules that guide behavior.
4. Beliefs: Things accepted as true by the group.
5. Customs/Traditions: Long-standing practices passed down through generations.

 

4a. What is Socialization?

✅ Answer:
Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and adopt the values, norms, behaviors, and skills necessary to function in their society.

 

4b. Highlight and explain any five (5) importance of socialization in society

1. Cultural Transmission: Passes cultural values to the next generation.
2. Personality Development: Helps individuals develop identity and character.
3. Social Integration: Encourages unity and belonging in society.
4. Role Preparation: Prepares individuals for various social roles.
5. Stability and Order: Promotes obedience to norms and social control.

 

5a. Explain the concept of family in the African context

✅ Answer:
In the African context, the family extends beyond the nuclear unit to include grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and even the community. It emphasizes collective responsibility, respect for elders, and communal child-rearing.

 

5b. Identify and explain five (5) types of family

1. Nuclear Family: Father, mother, and their children.
2. Extended Family: Includes other relatives (e.g., grandparents, uncles).
3. Monogamous Family: One man married to one woman.
4. Polygamous Family: One man married to multiple wives.
5. Single-Parent Family: One parent raises the children due to separation, divorce, or death.

 

6a. Distinguish between vertical and horizontal mobility on the social stratification structure

Vertical Mobility	Horizontal Mobility
Movement up or down the social ladder (e.g., from poor to rich).	Movement within the same social level (e.g., changing jobs with similar pay).
Changes social class.	Maintains same social class.

 

6b. Explain how any five (5) factors of family background can affect children's education

1. Parental Income: Low income may limit access to books, uniforms, and school fees.
2. Parental Education: Educated parents often help with homework and value schooling.
3. Family Size: Larger families may divide limited resources among many children.
4. Cultural Values: Some families may prioritize early marriage or trade over schooling.
5. Location: Children in rural or poor areas may have less access to quality schools.