Importance of Classic Sociological Theories in Understanding Educational Institutions

Running head: SOCIAL INSTITUTION
SOCIAL INSTITUTION
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1SOCIAL INSTITUTION
Introduction:
A social institution is an integrated set of social norms that are organised in order to
preserve fundamental social values. These set of norms are complex in nature, yet they are
obeyed by people for they have a definite purpose for their existence (Schwartz, 2013). In a
similar way educational institutions play a significant role in society. Educational institutions are
the agents of socialisation and encourage social integration. Social theories help understanding
social phenomenon however along with temporal changes these theories are prone to changes as
well. The present paper aims to understand the importance of classic sociological theories that
are still studied in the contemporary era. The paper seeks to use three major sociological
theories, functionalism, social conflict and symbolic internationalism to analyses educational
institution in contemporary society. The paper will discuss the institution along with the way the
mentioned theories applies to the institution.
Social institution:
Sociologist Emile Durkheim, education is defined as the socialisation of the younger
generation. According to him, it is a conscious effort to impose on the child ways of feeling,
acting and seeing that is not learned by the child when it is born (Durkheim, 2013). Every society
needs to work for the tiny humans to gain knowledge that will make them appropriate social
being in the adult life. The process through which they learn knowledge and societal values is
called education. Educational institutions are the agents of education that works to prepare young
people for the future. Education has a different significance in society. It is an agent of
socialisation as well as encourages social integration. The concept of socialisation and learning is
related in both simple as well as complex way. Also, from the concept of education, it is often
not easy to separate learning and socializing (Biesta, 2015).

2SOCIAL INSTITUTION
Functionalism:
Functionalism is a perspective of sociology that believes each aspect of society is
interdepended and contributes to the stability and functioning of the society (Ballantine,
Hammack & Stuber, 2017). The perspective is largely depended on the works of Emile
Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, Robert Merton and Talcott Parson. The society according to
functionalist is an interconnected system that works together as a whole each one playing a vital
role. While together they maintain harmony in society, the absence of a certain aspect will result
in a dysfunctional society (Rex, 2014). Functionalist perspective focuses on the
interconnectedness of various aspects and the ways each part of the system is important. When
every part of the society works together and contribute to the stability of the society, sociologists
call it functional. On the other hand, when it does not work toward the stability of the society and
create disorder it is called dysfunctional by functionalist. Also, functionalist uses two terms,
manifest and latent functions based on the intention of the performers. Consequences that are
intended and recognised are called Manifest while the unintended and hidden consequences are
referred to as the latent functions (Wallace, 2017).
The functionalist perspective on education:
Functionalists tend to emphasize the positive functions played by educational institutions.
Educational institution is a system that can be called functional when its different department
work together as whole. The educational institutes in the contemporary time is mostly the
organized establishments that provide formal education (). Educational institutions have
functions such as: