Exam 2

Written October 2, 2015

• The question asks “Which sociological perspective is concerned that schools often indoctrinate students in the U.S. in Western bureaucratic ideology?” Answer A (functionalism) refers to the views of a functionalist perspective, which argues about the intended and unintended consequences & goals of education (Topic 8: Education, slide 4, 9/22/2015). Answer B (interactionism) refers to the views of an interactionist’s perspective, which is examining how educational experience is created in the classroom and the interaction between teachers and students (Topic 8: Education, slide 7, 9/22/2015). Answer C (conflict) is correct, as it refers to the views of a conflict perspective which is about social and economic inequalities in education and how education is a divider rather than an equalizer (Topic 8: Education, slide 5, 9/22/2015). Answer D (feminist) refers to the feminist perspective which argues that the privileging of males perpetuates inequality (Topic 8: Education, slide 6, 9/22/2015).
• The question asks “Which primary demographic is at the center of school segregation today?” Answer A (socioeconomic status) is correct because drop-outs, SAT scores, and preparation are huge factors in student achievement (Topic 8: Education, slide 10, 9/22/2015). It is the primary reason, according to Leon-Guerrero, 2016, p. 217. Answer B (race) can predict educational success, but it is not the primary (Topic 8: Education, slide 12, 9/22/2015). Answer C (gender) refers to how females make up most undergrad and grad students in college and the reasons girls fail to achieve their potential (Topic 8: Education, slide 11, 9/22/2015). Answer D (Religion) is not even mentioned in the textbook.
• The question asks “Which measure is considered to be a basic indicator of the well-being of a population?” Answer A (fecundity) is defined as the maximum number of children that could be born, but this does not include whether the child lives or dies (Leon-Guerrero, 2016, p. 273). Answer B (infant mortality) is correct because it is defined as the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, which is a determining factor to see if our society is thriving (Leon-Guerrero, 2016, p 274). Answer C (epidemiology) is defined as the study of patterns in the distribution and frequency of illness and death, which can help with seeing how people are healthy but not the growing of our society (Leon-Guerrero, 2016, p. 273). Answer D (fertility) is defined as the level of childbearing for an individual or population, but no matter how many people are fertile it doesn’t guarantee that the child will live into adulthood (Leon-Guerro, 2016, p. 237).
• The question asks “Which statement supports the idea that the media help create a collective consciousness?” Answer A (many parents use television as a baby sitter for their young children) has nothing to do with making a link between individuals, rather it’s making families farther apart (Topic 11: Media, slide 3, 9/23/2015). Answer B (many Americans enjoy salty snacks while watching television) has nothing to do with brining individuals, communities or nations together. Answer C (many Americans gather for annual parties to watch the Super Bowl) is correct because it is individuals coming together to do something they enjoy doing and creates a link between them. Answer D (many individuals report feeling anxious after hours of television viewing) is the exact opposite of what a collective consciousness means.
• “According to the functionalist perspective, schools serving as public babysitters is a _______ function of education.” The answer I wrote was “family”. This is wrong because there is no such thing as a family function. The correct answer is “latent”, as a latent function is an unintended consequence or goal of education (Topic 8: Education, slide 4, 9/22/2015). In the textbook, it says that schools serving as a public babysitter was unintended and that no other institution could claim such a monopoly over a child’s live (Leon-Guerrero, 2016, p. 208).
• “The interactionist perspective argues that mass media defines what is considered newsworthy based on two criteria: proximity and ___________.” I wrote “relevance”. This is wrong because I guessed and an interactionist looks more for symbols and messages of the media and how it defines our “reality” (Topic 11: Media, slide 6, 9/23/2015).  The correct answer is “deviation”, as the media prefers things that are recent and near where an individual lives and things that are accepted (Topic 11: Media, slide 6, 9/23/2015).
• The question asks “The interactionist perspective examines tracking in education and its unintended consequences. (1) Define the term “tracking,” and (2) identify and explain one of the two major negative impacts of tracking, according to the textbook and lecture.” Tracking identifies students as college bound or work bound, meaning those that will go to college to get a higher education versus those that will go straight into the workforce after high school (Topic 8: Education, slide 7, 9/22/2015). One of the negative impacts is the influence it has on teachers, parents and others to view students according to their track (Leon-Guerrero, 2016 p. 212). This can hinder one’s true potential (Leon-Guerrero, 2016, p. 212).