Class #13: Schooling and Social Capital
Discussion Questions for Class Oct 7, 2009
Related Readings: Coleman, J.S.. “Social capital and the creation of human capital.” Bryk et al, "The Tradition of Catholic Schools"
These writing assignments are meant to help you think about the readings and to prepare you for class discussions. For that reason, when you write a response it is important that you give your opinions and that you relate your thoughts to the reading. Remember that these are exam questions and that they are graded as such. You ought to write them as though you are writing questions on a midterm or a final exam.
Respond to one of the following questions by writing a response on the class Discussion Board on Blackboard at least one hour before class on the date the question is listed. Put your name in the text of the question and give the question number as listed below. Without these I can't tell who wrote the question or what you are responding to. You then have until Midnight on the following Sunday of that week to revise your response if you wish to do so and to submit it for grading. To submit your responses, send them via email to milofsky@bucknell.edu.
Your final version of this question is due by midnight, Sunday, October 11.
13-1. How is social capital different from physical capital, cultural capital, and human capital? Why is social capital important for the creation of human capital?
13-2. Traditionally we have thought about the causes of educational achievement and policy strategies for improving school performance in terms of individual or psychological variables like intelligence, effort, learning disabilities, classroom resources, and specific curricula or teaching strategies. Tell first why I call these individual or psychological variables. Then explain why these variables are not effective for predicting school success among low income children. In answering, pay attention to all of our readings about schools.
13-3. How are Coleman's and Putnam's treatment of social capital similar and different?
13-4. Bryk thinks public schools are in crisis. What is a crisis, and what is the crisis according to Bryk? Again, given our earlier question about a crisis in human services would you say Bryk is accurate or that he is exaggerating the case? Is there urgency for change?
13-5. Bryk says Catholic schools are more public than public schools. What does he mean and why does he say that?
13-6. Do you believe Bryk's argument that Catholic schools are more effective than public schools? What is the evidence and why does he think Catholic schools are effective?