Marxist Theories of Education

Question 1

Hidden curriculum

Answer 1

These are the things that are learnt through the process of attending school rather than the set curriculum

Question 2

What are the two key Marxist ideas of education?

Answer 2

1. Education is responsible for the ideological transmission of the dominant ideology.
2. Education corresponds clearly to the needs of the workforce.

Question 3

Althusser

Answer 3

Education encourages values and behaviours within the proletariat which benefit capitalism.

(for example respecting authority)

It also reproduces and legitimises inequality

Question 4

Bowels and Gintis

Answer 4

Correspondence principle:

What happens in school directly links to what happens within the workplace.

Capitalism requires:
A hard working, docile, obedient, and highly motivated workforce too divided to challenge authority.

Meritocracy is a myth:
It is not fair as upper class have more opportunities and advantages for example material and cultural wealth, which allow them to get ahead in education.

Question 5

Criticisms of Bowels and Gintis

Answer 5

• Not everyone in society is passive and docile.
• class first analysis of education

Question 6

Paul Willis (Marxist)

Answer 6

(1977) study shows that WC pupils can resist such attempts.

The lads counter culture:
this was an anti school subculture that Willis studied which challenged schools rules and put other pupils who conformed to them down.

The irony of this Willis found is that the boys actually will just end up as perfect for the low skilled unwanted jobs within society as they are bound to end up there.

Question 7

Criticisms of Willis

Answer 7

Idolises the Lads despite their antisocial sexist behaviour and is unlikely to be representative of other pupils school experiences and so dangerous to generalise.

Question 8

Post modernist criticism

Answer 8

Post fordism challenges Bowels and Gintis.

Jobs are becoming more and more advanced and specific skills are needed that go against the idea of education conditioning all pupils.

Question 9

Ivan Illich (Marxist)

Answer 9

Believed we should get rid of physical schools and use technology to provide everyone with resources and access education.

Pros of deschooling
Less rules and limitations allowing for more comfort and freedom.

Cons of deschooling
Limited to people who can actually afford to access the internet (material deprivation)

Question 10

Criticism of Marxist views

Answer 10

Modern education is more democratic things like school council

Government consult with what economy needs in its future workers