HGSE PhD Written Comp List

Bourdieu, 1973

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Cultural Reproduction and Social Reproduction


FAQ: Cultural and Social Reproduction According to Pierre Bourdieu

  • What is the core argument about the relationship between education and social class that Bourdieu presents?
  • Bourdieu argues that the education system is not a neutral playing field but actively contributes to the reproduction of social class structures. It does this by favoring those who already possess cultural capital – the knowledge, skills, tastes, and dispositions that are valued within the dominant culture. Instead of being a ladder for social mobility, the educational system often legitimizes and reinforces the existing inequalities present in society. It rewards and values the "habitus" (a set of ingrained dispositions and perceptions) of those from dominant social classes, essentially recreating the social hierarchy.
  • How does the concept of "cultural capital" factor into this process?
  • Cultural capital, according to Bourdieu, is just as significant as economic capital when it comes to maintaining social hierarchies. It encompasses things like familiarity with art, music, literature, the ability to navigate academic discourse, and even certain ways of speaking and behaving. Those who inherit this cultural capital through their families are more likely to succeed within the education system, as the system is designed to recognize and reward the characteristics they already have. This advantage is then translated into academic success and higher social positions, thus maintaining the existing distribution of power.
  • What role do "implicit pedagogic actions" play in the reproduction of social inequalities?
  • Bourdieu argues that the education system often functions through "implicit pedagogic actions." These are often subtle and indirect ways of transmitting culture and knowledge, not made explicit as part of the formal curriculum. Examples include the subtle encouragement of particular ways of thinking, speaking, and behaving that align with the culture of the dominant class. Those who are already familiar with these implicit codes of behaviour often find the education system "natural" and easy to navigate, while those from other social classes may struggle, even if they are intellectually capable. Thus, the education system rewards implicit cultural knowledge, often without making these implicit pedagogic actions explicit.
  • How does the educational system serve to legitimize the existing social order?

    • The education system serves to legitimize the existing social order by portraying academic success as based on merit and talent rather than on pre-existing social advantages. The system gives the impression that the most intelligent and hard-working individuals rise to the top of the educational and social ladder, making inequalities appear natural and justifiable. This "meritocratic ideology" obscures the role that cultural capital and social background play in determining educational and professional outcomes, reinforcing the idea that the social hierarchy is based on legitimate differences rather than systemic inequality.

    • Why does Bourdieu say that the education system operates on a "market"?
    • Bourdieu suggests that education functions as a "market" where cultural capital is valued and exchanged in the form of academic credentials (degrees, diplomas). Just as different products are valued differently in an economic market, so are different academic qualifications valued differently. Those with more culturally prestigious credentials – often attained through more privileged access to cultural capital – will then receive greater advantages in the social market place (better jobs, higher social standing). The educational "market" thus reproduces social class inequalities through the way it values different forms of cultural capital.
    • How do the "laws of the academic market" impact individuals' academic choices and aspirations?


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      HGSE PhD Written Comp ListBy Max Lu