SED2601/102/0/2024

Tutorial Letter 102/0/2024

Sociology of Education
SED2601
Year module
Department of Educational Foundations
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account, and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, SED2601-2024-Y1, as well as your group website.

Note: Since this is a fully online module, it is only available on myUnisa.

BARCODE

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 CONTENTS
Page

1. Formative assessment ............................................................................................................ 3

1.1 General assessment numbers ................................................................................................ 3
1.1.1 Unique assessment numbers ................................................................................................. 3
1.1.2 Due dates of assessments...................................................................................................... 3
1.1.3 Submission of assessments .................................................................................................. 4
1.1.4 Assessments ........................................................................................................................... 4

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1. Formative assessment

1.1 General assessment numbers

Assessments are numbered consecutively per module, starting from 01. In this module
you need to submit THREE (3) COMPULSORY assessments for the year.

1.1.1 Unique assessment numbers

The unique assessment numbers will be posted on the module site on myUnisa.
For the due date of each, see the table below.

1.1.2 Due dates of assessments

The following is a breakdown of the formal assessment activities due during the year:

YEAR (2024) DUE DATE NATURE OF

YEAR MARK
ASSESSMENT
(20% OF FINAL
MARK)
Assessment 01 21 May 2024 Active student: 20%
Exam admission
Multiple choice
(online)
Compulsory
Assessment 02 22 June 2024 Short questions & 40%
paragraphs
Compulsory
Assessment 03 25 July 2024 Short questions & 40%
paragraphs
Compulsory

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1.1.3 Submission of assessments

You will find information in this regard on myUnisa. Start at the main Unisa
website, http://www.unisa.ac.za and then click on the ‘Login to myUnisa’ link
under the myUnisa heading on-screen. This should take you to the myUnisa
website, where you can submit the assessments online.

Follow the steps below:

o Log in with your student number and password
o Select the module
o Click on ‘Assessments’ in the menu
o Click on the number of the assessment you wish to submit
o Follow the instructions on-screen.

NB: Assessments may not be submitted by fax or e-mail.

1.1.4 Assessments

Assessments 01, 02 and 03 are COMPULSORY. Please complete and submit

them, as required. Ensure that you submit your assessments well before the
due date.

Assessment 01 (Online assessment)

o This is a multiple-choice assignment, to be completed online.

o Submission is compulsory (active student assignment).
o Contribution towards year mark: 20%

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First read through the following sources, and then answer the assignment questions.

Prescribed textbook (SoE): Chapters 1 to 4.

Wrap-around guide for this module

Assessment 02 (Paragraph-type questions)

o This assessment is compulsory.

o Contribution towards the year mark: 40%

First read through the following sources, and then answer the assignment questions.

Prescribed textbook (SoE): Chapters 1 to 2, and

recommended readings Wrap-around guide for this module.

Question 1

1.1 Discuss what is meant by “sociology”. (3)

1.2 Define the concept of education. (3)

1.3 Briefly explain the following terms:

a) Assimilation (1)
b) Society (1)
c) Ecology of a school (1)

1.4 One of the functions of the sociology of education is the activation of constructive and creative
forces. How could this aim be taught in the classroom? (6)

1.5 Discuss the proponents of conflict theory. (5)

[20]

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Question 2

2.1 How does conflict theory view the role of families? (6)

2.2 Briefly outline the role of the family as a social institution. (4)

2.3 What are the principles of symbolic interactionism theory? (5)

2.4 Discuss the criticisms of functionalism theory. (5)

[20]

Question 3

3.1 How does symbolic interactionism theory perceive the role of families? (6)

3.2 Briefly explain the AGIL model, as proposed by Parsons. (4)

3.3 How does conflict theory view the role of schooling in society? (4)

3.4 Discuss how conflict theory is applied to society. (6)

[20]

Question 4

4.1 Discuss the school as a social institution and include examples in your discussion. (6)

4.2 Discuss the concept of social integration. (5)

4.3 Discuss assimilation in relation to the social function of a school. (4)

4.4 Discuss functionalism theory with reference to schools in South Africa. (5)
[20]

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Question 5

5.1 What is the role of the economy as a social institution? (5)

5.2 Discuss the ecology of a school and include examples in your discussion. (5)

5.3 According to Bronfenbrenner, what is the chronosystem of a society? (3)

5.4 According to Bronfenbrenner, what is the exosystem? (3)

5.5 Define the concept “modernisation”. (2)

5.6 What is meant by “hegemony”? (2)

[20]
TOTAL: [100]

Assessment 03 (Paragraph-type questions)

o This assessment is compulsory.

o Contribution towards year mark: 40%

NB: The memorandum will be available in TL 201/2024 after the due date.

First read through the following sources, and then answer the questions.

Prescribed textbook (SoE): Chapters 3 and 4, and recommended

readings
Wrap-around guide for this module

Question 1

1.1 Discuss what is meant by the following:

a) Modern democracy (3)

b) Citizenship education (3)

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1.2 Discuss the two types of citizenship education, and indicate which approach (active or passive)
you think is the best one for learners. Substantiate your answer. (10)

1.3 Discuss the two main features of the apartheid state in South Africa. (4)
[20]

Question 2

2.1 Explain why it is important that learners understand the notion of democracy in the new
South Africa (after apartheid). (6)

2.2 Explain ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ notions of community participation in citizenship education. (4)

2.3 Explain what a cosmopolitan approach to citizenship education entails and indicate how
learners could benefit from this approach. (10)
[20]

Question 3

3.1 What is social stratification? (4)

3.2 From a sociological perspective, discuss what is meant by:

i) Gender (3)
ii) Diversity (3)

3.3 “Access to schooling is largely dependent on race, class and gender.”

Briefly discuss the term “access”. (4)

3.4 Provide an argument to argue that access is dependent on the race, class, and gender of
the learner. (6)
[20]

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Question 4

4.1 What is identity? (2)

4.2 Define “culture”. (2)

4.3 Discuss and provide ONE example of each of the following:

i) Culture as tradition (4)

ii) Culture as symbol system (4)
iii) Culture as motive and emotion (4)

4.4 If you had the power to change discrimination in schools, what practices would you introduce
as a teacher? (4)
[20]

Question 5

5.1 Identify yourself with a teacher. Discuss the guidelines for gender-fair teaching in schools and
explain – with examples – why there might be problems in schools with the implementation of
some of the guidelines. (10)

5.2 Discuss what is meant by “achieved characteristics”. (6)

5.3 In which social class do you think SGBs are? Provide a reason for your answer. (4)
[20]
TOTAL: [100]
Mr TV Letsoalo
LECTURER FOR SED2601
Department of Educational Foundations