INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

1. Definition of Sociology, Education and Sociology of Education 2. Theories in Educational Sociology 3. Relationship between Sociology and Education 4. Purposes of Educational Sociology

Al Quran :Al Hujerat :13 049.013 YUSUF ALI: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Sociology Defined
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. -American Sociological Association

Tisher, Whitten dan Hunter (1983) :

Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social interactions. The focus is the group, not the individual.

Wikipedia:
Sociology is the study of human societies.[1] It is a social science (with which it is informally synonymous) that uses various methods of empirical investigation[2] and critical analysis[3] to develop and refine a body of knowledge and theory about human social activity, often with the goal of applying such knowledge to the pursuit of social welfare.

Scope
Sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. - American Sociological Association

Sociology from the Islamic Perspective

Zahra al Zeera (2001) Islamic sociology deals with social and community issues, for it is considered to be the duty of every individual to participate in, develop and improve societal life

 The fifth principle in the Islamic paradigm is related to the community and society in general. The development of human beings in Islam is emphasized not only because it leads to the perfection of individuals, but also because it is intimately related to the perfection of society so as to fulfill collectively the Divine Will. Islam realizes the importance of collective action for the fulfillment of any task. It is not only a religion that teaches spirituality and purification of the individual so, it is also a complete social system whose laws are stated in the Al Quran.

What is Education?
John Dewey - The process of forming fundamental dispositions, intellectually and emotionally towards nature and fellow man. H. Horne Education is the eternal process of superior adjustment of the physically and mentally developed, free conscious human being to god, as manifested in the intellectual, emotional and volitional environment of man. Prof.S.M. Naquib Education is the instilling and inculcation of adab into man.

Wikipedia:
Education in its broadest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. In its technical sense education is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills and values from one generation to another.

National Education Philosophy "Education in Malaysia is an on-going efforts towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large"

Educational Sociology
The application of the general principles and research findings in sociology in order to assist to provide solutions to social problems in education. It examines the aspects of sociology (class social, values, norms, society etc.) that serves as support to teachers, educators and those who share similar interests in the world of education.

What is Sociology of Education?

Classical Sociological Approaches to Education
We are going to look at related material that reviews: What is Sociology of Education? Background on major Theorists

Sociology of Education:
- a subfield of Sociology
Two major foci: Focuses on the relationships of schooling processes, practices and outcomes to the organization of society as a whole (How is education serving the needs of society?).

- a subfield of Sociology

Sociology of Education:

2. At the level of the school system and within the school itself, Sociology of Education focuses on the social groups (students, teachers, parents, school administrators etc.) and their interactions to produce outcomes (mainly student success).

Three Types of Education in Modern Society

Informal education: Learning that takes place outside of school, through the process of social interaction.

Three Types of Education in Modern Society (contd)

2. Formal education: the set of organized activities that are intended to transmit skills, knowledge, and values as well as to develop mental abilities.

Three Types of Education in Modern Society (contd)

3. Nonformal education: organized instruction that takes place outside school settings (e.g. girl scouts, music lessons, sports groups).

Major Theories in Educational Sociology

Functionalist Theory Conflict Theory Interaction Theory

Functionalist theory (Structuralfunctionalism, consensus, equilibrium theory)

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) Views the educational system as an integral, interrelated part of the whole social system, carrying out certain necessary functions for the survival of society.

Functionalist theory (Structuralfunctionalism, consensus, equilibrium theory)

The functions and purposes of education are the same in each society but are carried out differently. Includes: learning to be a productive member of society; passing on culture; selection, training, and placement of individuals in society; change and innovation; and social and personal development.

Conflict Theory
Max Weber and Karl Marx Assumes a tension in society and its parts created by competing interest of individuals and groups. (the haves and the Have nots. The haves control power, wealth, material goods, privilege (including access to the best education), and influence. The have-nots present a constant challenge as they seek a larger share of societys wealth. Change is inevitable and sometimes rapid.

Conflict theory
Implies a volatile system and the ever-present possibility of major disruption because of the unequal distribution of status, power, cultural capital, opportunity, and other resources.

Interaction theory
G.H. Mead and C.H. Cooley : development of self through social interaction, whether in school or other situations. Interactions between groups of peers, between teachers and students, or between teachers and principals; Consider student attitudes, values, and achievement; Student self-concepts and their effects on aspirations; Socioeconomic status as it relates to student achievement and many other questions.

Interaction theory
Focuses on individuals and how they form interpretations of the world around them.
o Labelling Theory o Rational choice (exchange) Theory.

Interaction theory
Labeling Theory Self-fulfilling Prophecy Teacher expectation Rational Choice (exchange theory) Based on the assumption that there are costs and rewards involved in our interactions. Benefits outweighs costs continue to act the same way to continue receive benefits. If costs, outweigh the benefits, choose to move in different direction.

Education is sociological
Education is sociological because it is part of a network of interrelated societal institutions Education is a social process Social Process: sequence of activity driven by social interaction.

Education is sociological
It involves human beings and requires them to interact in order for the intended knowledge, skills, and values to be transmitted and for mental abilities to develop.

Education is sociological
Key players - teachers and students bring to class their prior life experience, their social class background, their language, their gender, their beliefs about each other and about education, and their notions about how boys and girls are supposed to behave in the classroom. Social class: an individuals position in societys hierarchy based on their possession of whatever criteria (e.g., education, income, athletics) are most highly valued by the dominant class.

Education is sociological
This diversity means teachers need to be prepared to teach children who bring many different kinds of prior experiences. Diversity: a society in which the members are of different ethnic backgrounds, races, cultures, or religions.

Education is sociological
It is not only the social context of teaching and learning that is important, but the context of the experience that each child brings to school. Social context: the societal circumstances in which an event takes place. To contextualize instruction is to address these aspects of the culture of schooling.

Purpose of an educational sociology

Henry Suzzallo (Ph.D., Professor of the Philosophy of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University) The purpose of an educational sociology is, in a specialized and scientific way, to investigate and reveal the social facts and laws upon which educational theory and practice must in large part rest.

Purposes of an educational sociology

To analyse the socialization process To analyse the status of education in society To analyse the social interaction occuring between schools and society As an instrument for social advancement and development As a foundation in determining educational aims To incorporate the knowledge and principles of sociology into education