Discuss the influence of the curriculum on societal values.
aqa
Education and society
A Level/AS Level/O Level
Free Essay Outline
Introduction
Briefly define curriculum and societal values. State your argument: Does the curriculum reinforce, challenge, or both influence societal values?
Reinforcing Societal Values
Discuss how the curriculum can reinforce existing societal values.
Examples:
⭐Hidden curriculum: Unintended lessons about hierarchy, obedience etc.
⭐Subject selection: Certain subjects valued more highly (e.g., STEM vs. arts), reflecting societal biases.
⭐Historical narratives: Whose stories are told and how they shape national identity.
Challenging Societal Values
Explain how the curriculum can challenge existing societal norms and values.
Examples:
⭐Critical thinking: Encouraging students to question assumptions and power structures.
⭐Diverse perspectives: Including marginalized voices and challenging dominant narratives.
⭐Social justice issues: Raising awareness about inequality and promoting civic engagement.
Limitations and Nuances
Acknowledge the complexities of the relationship between curriculum and societal values.
Points to consider:
⭐Differential impact: Curriculum might affect different social groups differently.
⭐Teacher agency: Teachers interpret and deliver the curriculum, influencing its impact.
⭐External factors: Media, family, peers also shape values, not just the curriculum.
Conclusion
Summarize your main points. Reiterate your argument about the influence of the curriculum on societal values, acknowledging its complexity.
Free Essay
Introduction
The curriculum refers to the planned and structured learning experiences provided within educational institutions, encompassing subjects, learning objectives, teaching methods, and assessment tools. Societal values are the shared beliefs, principles, and norms that guide a society's behavior and shape its collective understanding of what is right, wrong, important, and desirable. This essay argues that the curriculum has a profound influence on societal values, both reinforcing existing norms and challenging them, creating a dynamic and complex relationship.
Reinforcing Societal Values
The curriculum can act as a powerful tool for reinforcing dominant societal values, often perpetuating existing power structures and inequalities. This occurs through various mechanisms, both overt and covert.
Examples:
⭐Hidden curriculum: The hidden curriculum refers to the informal lessons learned in school beyond the explicit content of textbooks and lectures. This can include societal expectations regarding gender roles, class hierarchies, and obedience to authority. For example, the traditional division of labor in classrooms, with boys engaging in more "active" activities and girls in "passive" ones, can reinforce gender stereotypes (Apple, 1990).
⭐Subject selection: The weight given to different subjects reflects societal biases and priorities. For instance, STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) are often considered more prestigious and valued than the arts, perpetuating the notion that scientific and technical skills are more important than creative expression (Hargreaves, 1994). This can lead to a devaluation of artistic talents and contribute to societal biases in career choices.
⭐Historical narratives: The way history is taught shapes national identity and societal values. Dominant narratives often overlook the perspectives of marginalized groups, reinforcing existing power structures and perpetuating biases. For example, the focus on European colonialism in history textbooks might perpetuate an Eurocentric worldview and neglect the experiences of indigenous populations (Banks & Banks, 2010).
Challenging Societal Values
Despite its potential to reinforce existing norms, the curriculum can also play a critical role in challenging societal values and promoting social change. This occurs through fostering critical thinking, promoting diverse perspectives, and raising awareness about social justice issues.
Examples:
⭐Critical thinking: Encouraging students to question assumptions, analyze arguments, and evaluate evidence fosters critical thinking skills. This empowers students to challenge societal norms, including those related to gender, race, class, and sexuality. For example, critical analysis of media representations of social groups can challenge stereotypes and promote greater understanding of diverse identities (Giroux, 2004).
⭐Diverse perspectives: Including marginalized voices and perspectives in the curriculum can challenge dominant narratives and promote a more inclusive understanding of societal values. For instance, incorporating the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, or racial minorities into curriculum can provide students with a broader and more nuanced view of social issues and challenge existing biases (Sleeter & Grant, 2019).
⭐Social justice issues: Raising awareness about social justice issues, such as poverty, discrimination, environmental degradation, and political inequality, can empower students to become active citizens and contribute to social change. This can be achieved through discussions, debates, community engagement projects, and service learning experiences (Hooks, 1994).
Limitations and Nuances
The relationship between curriculum and societal values is complex and nuanced, and it is crucial to acknowledge its limitations.
Points to consider:
⭐Differential impact: The impact of the curriculum can vary significantly based on students' social backgrounds, identities, and experiences. For example, a curriculum that emphasizes individualism might benefit students from privileged backgrounds while marginalizing those from disadvantaged communities (Bourdieu, 1986).
⭐Teacher agency: Teachers play a crucial role in interpreting and delivering the curriculum. Their personal values, beliefs, and experiences influence how they approach teaching, ultimately shaping the students' understanding of societal values (Freire, 1970).
⭐External factors: The curriculum is not the sole determinant of societal values. Media, family, peers, and social institutions all contribute to shaping individuals' beliefs and perspectives. The curriculum interacts with these other influences, creating a complex web of factors influencing societal values (Lukes, 2005).
Conclusion
The curriculum plays a powerful role in shaping societal values, both reinforcing existing norms and challenging them. While it can perpetuate biases and inequalities, it can also foster critical thinking, promote diverse perspectives, and empower students to become agents of social change. It is essential to recognize the complexity of this relationship and acknowledge the limitations of the curriculum as a sole driver of societal values. By critically examining the curriculum, challenging dominant narratives, and incorporating diverse voices, educational systems can contribute to a more just and equitable society.
References
Apple, M. W. (1990). Ideology and curriculum. Routledge.
Banks, J. A., & Banks, C. A. M. (2010). Educating for a multicultural society. John Wiley & Sons.
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education. Greenwood Press.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Continuum.
Giroux, H. A. (2004). The abandoned generation: Our failing schools and the crisis of democracy. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Hargreaves, A. (1994). Changing teachers, changing times: Teachers' work and culture in the postmodern age. Routledge.
Hooks, B. (1994). Teaching to transgress: Education as the practice of freedom. Routledge.
Lukes, S. (2005). Power: A radical view. Palgrave Macmillan.
Sleeter, C. E., & Grant, C. A. (2019). Making choices for multicultural education: Five approaches to race, class, and gender. Wiley.