Page 92 - Class Portfolio 2019

UNIT II
SOCIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

These are family background, kinship relations, location of residence etc., but education,
occupation and expanded income are the most fairly visible clues of social class. With these
are associated most of the other behaviour characteristics which make one ‘belong’. Most of
the social scientists have used these three criteria in dividing people into social classes for

research purposes.

References:

 https://study.com/academy/lesson/social-stratification-definition-theories-
examples.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society
 http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/social-status-the-meaning-types-

essential-elements-and-characteristics-of-social-status/8553

Activity:

1. Coin Toss Activity

A common coin toss is one method of showing how quickly divisions of wealth can

occur in society. Students bring three coins to class. The instructor pairs students
off in a fast-moving game of calling "heads" or "tails." The winner of the toss keeps

both coins, then the teacher pairs students off again. Once a student loses all his
coins, he is bankrupt and can no longer play. As soon as someone accumulates 16
coins, the game ends. The teacher then leads a discussion to emphasize that social

and economic events beyond individual control can alter a society -- sometimes
more than personal abilities or skills. An instructor can vary the game by having

students pool coins to represent credit agencies or other alliances. A report in the
January, 2003 issue of Teaching Sociology notes that students found a simple coin
toss to be a memorable lesson on distribution of wealth.

In sociology or social science classes, instructors teach the concept of social

stratification. In the United States, the premise of the equality of individuals is a
governmental foundation, but the reality is that inequality occurs in society.

Teachers can use well-designed and memorable classroom activities to teach
stratification.

83 | P a g e