Social Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper examines four types of social theories and their use to the educator. The theories are functionalism, Marxism, interpretivism and post-modernism It discusses the meaning of the four social theories, compares and contrasts the strengths and weaknesses and then chooses a social theory that explains the function of education within contemporary American society. The paper maintains that a glimpse into the history of the social theories and what makes them significant will help foster an understanding of the theories.

Outline:
Abstract
Interpretivism
Functionalism
Marxism
Post-Modernism Era
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Structural functionalism inhibits certain forms of analyses, such as comparative analysis. Structural functionalism has also been described as both illegitimately teleological and tautological. The former implies that structural functionalists rely too heavily on the notion that social structures have purposes or goals. This notion is posited to justify the existence of particular structures without adequate theoretical reasons or empirical backing. Tautology suggests that the conclusion of a theory makes explicit what is implicit in the premise of the theory. Thus, structural functionalism defines the whole in terms of the parts and the parts in terms of the whole."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bowles,S., Gintis,H. (1977). IQ in the U.S. class structure. In J. Karabel & H. Halsey (Eds.), Power and ideology in education (pp. 137-152). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Myers, M. (2000). Qualitative research and the generalizability question: Standing firm with Proteus. The Qualitative Report, 4(3/4). Retrieved August 23, from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR4-3/myers.html.
• O'Brien, K. (n. d.) Research paradigms. Latrobe University. Retrieved August 23, from http://ironbark.bendigo.latrobe.edu.au/~obrien/parad/index.htm.
• Pai, S., Adler, S. (2001). Cultural Foundations of Education (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Prentice-Hall, Inc.
• Smith, M. (2006). Overcoming theory-practice inconsistencies: Critical realism and information systems research. Information & Organization, 16(3), 191-211. Retrieved Saturday, August 26, 2006 from the Business Source Complete database.

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