Exam 13: Politics and the Economy in Global Perspective

Community colleges are one of the fastest growing segments of higher education.

Discuss the dysfunctions of the U.S. educational system. Explain what strategies functionalists recommend to remedy these dysfunctions, and why. Contrast this with the perspective of conflict theory on educational dysfunctions.

______________is the belief that plants, animals, or other elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits or life forces that have an impact on events in society.

Although many factors, including intelligence, motivation, and previous achievement, are important in determining how much education a person will attain,______________ argue that access to quality education is largely determined by social class.

Across cultures and in different eras, many things have been considered ______________, including invisible gods, spirits, specific animals or trees, altars, crosses, holy books, and special words or songs that only the initiated could speak or sing.

Muslim periodic prayer while bowing toward Mecca and the Christian celebration of communion are examples of events that Geertz and others would term ______________.

All types of religions have some type of all-powerful supernatural being at the center of the belief system.

______________theorists do not believe that public schools reduce social inequality in society; rather, they believe that schools perpetuate class, racial/ethnic, and gender inequalities by reinforcing the privileged position of some at the expense of others.

______________reflects a "proper" attitude toward education, socially approved dress and manners, and knowledge about books, art, music, and other forms of high and popular culture.