Problem 1: What factors do you think determine whether someone graduates from high school? How do social location and other social characteristics affect academic achievement? Explain the relationship using microlevel and macrolevel analysis. What is the difference between micro-level analysis and macro-level analysis? What macro factors may influence whether or not someone attends college? What micro factor may influence whether or not someone attends college?
Problem 2: Your textbook discusses the two major theoretical frameworks or perspectives: Functionalism and Conflict Theory. Describe how each of the each of the perspectives would view education in the United States. What is the basic premise of conflict theory? How would conflict theory view the educational system in America? Discuss how a functionalist would view education in America. Discuss the manifest and latent functions of education.