Sociology 3452:  Education and Society

 

Fall 2002

 

Time/Place:                   2:30pm – 3:45pm Tuesday and Thursday, BlegH 130

Web Page:                   http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2002soc3452/home3452.htm

 

Instructor:                     Evan Schofer                                       

Email:                           schof007@tc.umn.edu

Web page:                    http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer

Phone:                          (612) 624-4075                                              

Office:                          1127 Social Sciences                           

Office Hours:                T/Th 1:00-2:15 and by appointment

 

TA                               Switbert Kamazima

TA Office Hours:          T/Th 11:00-12:30

TA Office:                    1178 Social Sciences

TA Email:                     kama0025@tc.umn.edu

 

 

Introduction

 

This course is designed to provide an overview of sociological theories and research about education in modern societies.  In doing so, the course touches on a variety of topics including:  the effects of education on beliefs and values; the effects of school characteristics on student achievement and educational attainment; education and inequality; cross-national differences in educational systems; the link between education and national economic performance; the organizational characteristics of schooling; and prospects for school reform.  Discussion of research in these areas helps to dispel myths about education and provide a sense of the powerful impact -- and also the limitations -- of schools in modern societies.

 

 

Readings

 

Reading assignments are listed below.  All readings are required unless otherwise indicated.  Readings should be completed by the first class meeting (Tuesday) on the week indicated.  Lectures will make more sense if you’ve done the readings!

 

Required Texts:

 

Schools and Societies by Steven Brint.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Pine Forge Press (1998).

 

Sociology 3452 Course Packet, available at Paradigm Copies.  I use this copy service because they are cheaper than other copy services, which saves you money.  But, you must go there directly to pick up a course packet.  Course Packets should be copied and available soon.  Paradigm Copies is located at 1501 University Avenue SE, Suite 201 in Dinkytown.  For additional information, go to http://www.paradigmcopies.com/ or call (612) 379-4590.

Readings Available on the Web.  Many of the assigned readings can be found on the web.  This makes the course packet even cheaper, and saves trees.  Links are included, below, in the reading assignments.  The online syllabus has active links.  Most online readings can be printed and downloaded, though a few must be read while on-line.  Also, I will put hard copies of the readings on reserve in the library, for those without easy access to a computer.

 

Note:  The direct links to articles in JSTOR (a major online archive) only work from computers that are located on-campus.  Off-campus and dial-in users cannot use the direct links.  Instead, you must first go to the following link, log in using your UMN account and password, and then use search (e.g., by title) to locate articles: https://www.lib.umn.edu/articles/ejlog.phtml?url=http://www.jstor.org

 

Handouts.  I may assign additional readings – such as topical newspaper articles – as handouts given during class.

 

 

Assignments and Evaluation

 

Mid-term Exam.  There will be a mid-term exam on October 21.  The exam will address all course material (both readings and lectures) covered up to that time.  (25% of final grade)

 

Final Exam.  There will be a final exam on December 19.  The exam is comprehensive – meaning that it may cover material from the entire semester.  However, the exam will emphasize material covered since the midterm.  (25% of final grade)

 

Papers.  There will be two paper assignments during the semester.  Details will be provided when each paper is assigned – but you can expect the papers to be in the area of 4-5 pages in length.  (20% of final grade each, 40% in total)

 

Reading Mini-Quizzes.  There will be short in-class reading quizzes at regular intervals.  Quizzes will be on Thursdays of weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, and 14.  These quizzes serve two functions.  First, they encourage you to keep up with the readings.  Second, they are incentive to attend class.  I have found that students who do those two simple things end up learning far more (and getting better grades) than those who do not.  To provide a real incentive, you must attend class on designated days to take these quizzes.  There will be no “make-ups” of any sort.  However, each student’s lowest score will be dropped – to accommodate the reality that people get sick or occasionally miss class for various reasons.  (10% of final grade)

 

Final Grades.  Your final grade will be computed based on the percentage weightings indicated.  In the event of a borderline grade, I may use my discretion in adjusting grades based on course participation and effort.  Incompletes will not be given, except in unusual circumstances.

 

Policies:

 

Late Papers.  Papers received late will be marked down one partial grade (i.e., and A becomes an A-, C+ becomes a C) per day past the due date.  Extensions may be granted for legitimate reasons if requested in advance.

 

Missed Exams.  Missed exams cannot be re-taken, except in unusual circumstances (e.g., medical issues).  In accordance with university policy, an exam make-up session is held by the Department of Sociology for those with legitimate excuses.

 

Cheating, Plagiarism, etc.  Academic dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with very severely, based on the specifics of the case.  The University has been cracking down on such things by, among other things, using software to detect text plagiarized from the web.  If requested, students in this course must provide computer copies of their written work for examination.  Keep copies (and backups) of all course work.

 

 

University Policies

 

Students in this course must abide by all relevant university policies, ranging from issues of general behavior to academic issues such as plagiarism.  It is your responsibility to be aware of university policies. 

 

 

Course Information

 

Announcements, course handouts, assignments, and other information will be posted to the course web page:   http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2002soc3452/home3452.htm

Any changes in the syllabus or course requirements will be posted there.  Check the web site periodically to keep fully informed.

 

 

Service Learning

 

There is a service learning option in this course.  (For general info, go to:   http://www.cclc.umn.edu/)  Service learning is an opportunity to engage in community service as a part of this course.  Students interested in putting in a substantial amount of time in service activities and completing additional coursework may be eligible to sign up for an additional unit of course credit.  Note:  To do this, you must fill out relevant forms before the end of the second week of the semester.

 

Schedule & Reading Assignments

 

Week 1:  Introduction:  Thinking About Education  (Sept. 3, 5)

 

Get started on readings for next week!  Remember – you should be familiar with readings by the Tuesday of each week, so start reading during the previous week.

 

 

Week 2:  The Structure of Schooling:  An Overview (Sept 10, 12)

 

Brint, Steven.  “Schools as Social Institutions.”  Pp. 1-28  (Chapter 1) in Schools and Societies.  (28 pages)

 

Brint, Steven.  Schooling in the Industrialized World.  Pp. 29-64 (Chapter 2) in Schools and Societies.  (36 pages)

 

 

Week 3:  Schools:  Transmission of Knowledge and Socialization  (Sept. 17, 19)

 

Brint, Steven.  Schools and the Transmission of Knowledge.  Pp. 100-135 (Chapter 4) in Schools and Societies. (36 pages)

 

Brint, Steven.  Schools and Socialization.  Pp. 136-170 (Chapter 4) in Schools and Societies. (35 pages)

 

Schultz, Theodore.  1951.  “Investment in Human Capital.”  The American Economic Review, Vol. 51, No. 1. (Mar., 1961), pp. 1-17.  Available at JSTOR.  (17 pages)

 

 

Week 4:  Sociological Theories of Schooling (Sept. 24, 26)

 

Hurn, Christopher J.  1985.  "Theories of Schooling and Society:  The Functional and Conflict Paradigms."  Pp. 42-76 (Chapter 2) in The Limits and Possibilities of Schooling:  An Introduction to the Sociology of Education (second edition).  Boston, MA:  Allyn and Bacon, Inc. (28 pages)

 

Collins, Randall.  1971.  "Functional and Conflict Theories of Educational Stratification."  American Sociological Review, 36 (1971): 1002-1019.  Available at JSTOR.  (18 pages)

 

Meyer, John W.  1977.  “The Effects of Education as an Institution.”  American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 83, No. 1. (Jul., 1977), pp. 55-77.  Available at JSTOR.  (23 pages)

 

Week 5:  Schools and Social Stratification  (Oct 1, 3)

 

Brint, Steven.  Schools and Social Selection:  Opportunity.  Pp. 171-203 (Chapter 5) in Schools and Societies. (33 pages)

 

Bowles, Samuel and Herbert Gintis.  1976.  "Education, Inequality, and Meritocracy."  Pp. 102-124 (Chapter 4) in Schooling in Capitalist America:  Educational Reform and the Contradictions of Economic Life.  New York: Basic Books, Inc. (23 pages)

 

Pallas, Aaron M., Doris R. Entwisle, and Karl L. Alexander, M. Francis Stluka.  1994.  “Ability-Group Effects: Instructional, Social, or Institutional?” Sociology of Education, Vol. 67, No. 1. (Jan., 1994), pp. 27-46.  Available at JSTOR.  (20 pages)

 

 

Week 6:  Family Background and Achievement  (Oct. 8, 10)

 

Riordan, Cornelius.  1997.  "Differences Between Homes."  Pp. 63-110 (Chapter 3) of Equality and Achievement:  An Introduction to the Sociology of Education.  New York:  Longman.  (48 pages)

 

Coleman, James S.  1988.  “Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital.”  American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 94, Supplement: Organizations and Institutions: Sociological and Economic Approaches to the Analysis of Social Structure. (1988), pp. S95-S120.  Available at JSTOR.  (26 pages)

 

October 10:  Paper #1 Due

 

 

Week 7:  Schools and Inequality  (Oct. 15, 17)

 

Riordan, Cornelius.  1997.  "Differences Between Schools."  Pp. 111-161 (Chapter 4) of Equality and Achievement:  An Introduction to the Sociology of Education.  New York:  Longman.  (51 pages)

 

Hurn, Christopher J.  1985.  "Do Schools Reinforce Inequality?"  Pp. 172-201 (Chapter 6) in The Limits and Possibilities of Schooling:  An Introduction to the Sociology of Education (second edition).  Boston, MA:  Allyn and Bacon, Inc.  (30 pages)

 

Condron, Dennis J. and Vincent Roscigno.  “Disparities Within:  Spending Inequality and Achievement in an Urban School District.  Forthcoming in Sociology of Education.  (22 pages)

 

October 17:  Midterm Review

 

 

Week 8:  Schools and Inequality  (Oct. 22, 24)

 

October 22:  Midterm

 

No new reading assignments.  But, get started on next week’s readings!

 

 

Week 9:  Schools and Inequality: Race, Class, and Gender  (Oct 29, Oct 31)

 

Brint, Steven.  Schools and Social Selection:  Inequality.  Pp. 171-203 (Chapter 5) in Schools and Societies. (33 pages)

 

Ballantine, Jeanne H.  2001.  “Race, Class, and Gender.”  Pp. 89-130 (Chapter 4) in The Sociology of Education:  A Systematic Analysis.  New Jersey:  Prentice Hall. (41 pages)

 

 

Week 10:  Schools and Inequality:  Race, Class, and Gender (Nov. 5, 7)

 

John U. Ogbu.  1990.  “Minority Education in Comparative Perspective.”  Journal of Negro Education, Vol. 59, No. 1. (Winter, 1990), pp. 45-57.  Available at JSTOR.  (13 pages)

 

Conley, Dalton. 1999.  “From Financial to Social to Human Capital:  Assets and Education.”  Pp. 55-82 (Chapter 3) in Being Black, Living in the Red.  Berkeley, CA:  University of California Press. (28 pages)

 

Readings are short this week.  Start on next week’s readings now!

 

 

Week 11:  The Organization of Schools and Reform  (Nov. 12, 14)

 

Brint, Steven.  Teaching and Learning in Comparative Perspective.  Pp. 238-273 (Chapter 8) in Schools and Societies. (36 pages)

 

Brint, Steven.  School Reform and the Possibilities of Schooling.  Pp. 274-297 (Chapter 9) in Schools and Societies. (33 pages)

 

One additional reading may be assigned.  Check the course web page.

 

 

Week 12:  The Organization of Schools and Reform  (Nov 19, 21)

 

Ballantine, Jeanne H.  2001.  “Educational Movements and Reform.”  Pp. 373-396 (Chapter 13) in The Sociology of Education:  A Systematic Analysis.  New Jersey:  Prentice Hall. (24 pages)

 

National Research Council (1999). “High Stakes: Testing for Tracking, Promotion, and Graduation.” Committee on Appropriate Test Use, Jay P. Heubert and Robert M. Hauser, eds., Board on Testing and Assessment, National Research Council.  Washington, D.C., National Academy Press.  Read pages 1-12 (executive summary) and pages 13-22 only.  Available at:  http://books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/index.html  (22 pages)

 

Jencks, Christopher.  1972.  "What Is To Be Done?"  Pp. 253-265 (Chapter 9) in Inequality:  A reassessment of the Effect of Family and Schooling in America.  New York:  Basic Books.  (13 pages)

 

November 19:  Paper #2 Due

 

 

Week 13:  The Organization of Schools and Reform  (Nov. 26)

 

No new reading assignments.  Get started on readings for next week!

 

November 28:  Thanksgiving.  No Class.

 

 

Week 14:  The Comparative Study of Education  (Dec.3, 5)

 

Baker, David and David Stevenson.  1989.  "Parents' Management of Adolescents' Schooling:  An International Comparison."  Pp. 339-350 in Hurrelmann, K. and Engel U. (eds.).  The Social World of Adolescents:  International Perspectives.  Berlin:  Walter de Gruyter.  (22 pages)

 

Ramirez, Francisco O. and John W. Meyer.  1980.  “Comparative Education: The Social Construction of the Modern World System.”  Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 6. (1980), pp. 369-399.  Available at: JSTOR. (31 pages)

 

Buchmann, Claudia and Emily Hannum.  2001.  “Education and Stratification in Developing countries:  A Review of Theories and Research.”  Annual Review of Sociology, 27:77-102.  Available at:  http://soc.annualreviews.org/cgi/content/full/27/1/77 (26 pages)

Alternate link:  http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2002soc3452/pub/BuchmannHannum.htm

 

Rubinson, Richard and Bruce Fuller.  1992.  “Specifying the Effects of Education on National Economic Growth.”  Pp. 101-115 in Fuller B. and Rubinson R. The Political Construction of Education.  New York:  Praeger. (15 pages)

 

 

Week 15:  Comparative Ed. / Course Conclusion (Dec. 10, 12)

 

Meyer, John W. and David P, Baker.  1996.  "Forming American Educational Policy with International Data:  Lessons from the Sociology of Education."  Sociology of Education, 69 (Extra Issue): 123-129.

 

Dec 12:  Final Exam Review

 

Final Exam:  10:30am-12:30pm, Thursday, December 19