Movie Analysis Essay on Rock With Wings

Introduction

Sociology of education seeks to explain the activities, issues, and concepts that are sociological but are related to school as well ("PowerPoint presentation: Sociology of Education"). Importantly, there are three theories of sociology of education that seek to explain educational matters and concepts. They include symbolic interactionism, conflict, and structural functionalism. One can interpret the theories of sociology of learning from the film, 'Rock with Wings.' The movie revolves around a teacher, Jerry, from East Texas who got a job of training a basketball team at a remote area in Navajo. Jerry worked hard towards motivating the girls based on his childhood experiences since he had to work hard and maneuver the segregation he received after having to study in an all-white school. Therefore, this paper analyzes the three theories of sociology in education that include symbolic interactionist, conflict, and structural-functionalist theory, as seen in the movie, 'Rock with Wings.'

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Structural Functionalism Theory

The structural functionalism theory emanated from Emile Durkheim. The theorist accentuated the need for people to have similar values to enhance and facilitate cohesiveness in societies (Nash, 2002). Emily Durkheim defined socialization as the process in which a person becomes suitable to cooperate in a group and participate in social activities ("PowerPoint presentation: Sociology of Education"). Some of the factors that enhance socialization include learning social values and skills. Similarly, Oakes (1982) argued that schools cement the values and personality characteristics of the learners through socialization. More so, the author claimed that schools often prepare learners to meet the demands of their presumed future occupations. As such, there exists a close association between social relationships overriding personal interaction in the workplace and social connections in the learning system (Oakes, 1982).

In the film, 'Rock with Wings,' the structural functionalism theory is imminent from the interactions between Jerry and the basketball team members. The two people are bound by the fact that they share similar experiences. The basketball team has no hope of succeeding in anything and has to deal with issues of race and segregation. However, Jerry understands their predicaments since he once faced such an extent of discrimination when growing up in an all-white neighborhood. With this in mind, Jerry pushed the girls to work hard and outdo the other team members who consistently looked down upon them. Mainly, this is an example of a social relationship and interaction in schools, which Oakes (1982) claimed it replicates the perception of workers by disintegrating students to groups with various attitudes, capabilities, and behaviors.

Conflict Theory

The second theory of sociology of education is the conflict theory developed from the works of Karl Marx and Max Weber, who focused on the struggles of social classes to retain their dominance and power (Nash, 2002). Similarly, Sadovnik (2001) indicated that power relationships have infiltrated organizations, distribution and assessment of knowledge in a social context. The theory posits that education and schools promote social inequality and preserve the power of the persons who dominate communities.

In the film, 'Rock with Wings,' the conflict theory applies in a variety of situations. First, the supposition is applicable when Jerry has to deal with the humiliation and racial discrimination in an all-white school. The fact that there existed an all-white school was an example of how schools and education caused dominance and increased power or some groups in society. In addition to that, conflict theory is evident when the basketball team led by Jerry feels that it cannot succeed in anything, mainly defeat the dominant group, Kirtland Central. Notably, the basketball team headed by Jerry, Lady Chieftains, comes from a depressed community, Navajo. The continued failure of the Lady Chieftains before Jerry came to their rescue is proof of the existing inequality in society created by education and school systems.

Symbolic Interactionism

The third sociological theory of education is symbolic interactionism developed by George Mead and Charles Cooley (Grenfell et al., 2017). The supposition attempts to understand the meaning attached by individuals to their participation and relationships in schools (Grenfell et al., 2017). According to Grenfell et al. (2017), symbolic interactionists analyze education based on observable features in classes. Notably, they focus on the expectations of teachers and how they influence the performance, perceptions, and attitudes of the learners. Brown (2001) indicated that the ideology is that education expands one's chances of finding employment hence caters to the increasing demands of workplaces, which shows that some teachers influence learners to go to school for credentialing to find jobs in the future.

In the movie under review, the basketball team, Lady Chieftains, did not believe that it would outdo the state champion, Kirtland Central, which has been the winning team for about eight times. However, the arrival of Jerry changed their perceptions. As indicated in the PowerPoint presentation, schools serve the purposes of imposing values of a dominant culture on minority populations ("PowerPoint Presentation: Credentialism, Hidden Curriculum, and Codes"). The perceptions imposed on Lady Chieftains are that they cannot beat Kirtland Central despite the extent of practice they undertake to improve on their skills. With the help of Jerry, the perceptions of the team changed. The coach exerted a decisive influence on the team members, which helped them to contend in the state championship for their first time.

Conclusion

Various theories can explain the education systems in the world today. They include conflict, functionalist, and interactionist theories. Mainly, this paper describes the three approaches as they are depicted in the film, 'Rock with Wings.' The conflict theory posits that schools are sources of social inequality. In contrast, the functionalist theory shows how people with similar values bring cohesiveness in society. The interactionism theory shows the influence of teachers on students' attitudes, perceptions, and performance.

References

Brown, D. K. (2001). The social sources of educational credentialism: Satus cultures, labor markets, and organizations. Sociology of Education, 74, 19-34. doi: 10.2307/2673251

Grenfell, M., Hood, S., Barrett, B. D., & Schubert, D. (2017). Towards a realist sociology of education: A polyphonic review essay. Educational Theory, 67(2), 193-208. doi: 10.1111/edth.12240

Nash, R. (2002). A realist framework for the sociology of education: Thinking with Bourdieu. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 34(3), 273-288. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-5812.2002.tb00304.x

Oakes, J. (1982). Classroom social relationships: Exploring the Bowles and Gintis hypothes. Sociology of Education, 55(4), 197. doi: 10.2307/2112672

PowerPoint Presentation: Credentialism, Hidden Curriculum, and Codes

PowerPoint presentation: Sociology of Education

Sadovnik, A. R. (2001). Profiles of famous educators - Basil Bernstein (1924-2000). Prospects, 31(4), 607-620. doi: 10.1007/bf03220044