Sociology / Unit 7 Soc 1048 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Functionalism on Race and Ethnicity
Captions available
The idea
Functionalists ask what racial and ethnic arrangements, including racism itself, contribute to how a society holds together.
In practice
Ostracizing an out-group can strengthen bonds among an in-group, while unequal schooling diverts effort a society might otherwise apply elsewhere.
Where people slip
Describing a function performed is not endorsing the arrangement that performs it.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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