Apply Sociological Theory to the Film Education, as we see it - Research Paper Example

Stereotyping and ethnocentricity played a big role on the education system during the 1800s. Canadian Aboriginals suffered the fate of education alienation on the hands of missionary groups and the Canadian government. This paper will give an analysis of sociological theory in the film education as we see it. The best theoretical perspective also known as paradigm exemplified in this film is the conflict theory. Conflict is present in this film from the fact that there is a struggle between the Canadian government and the Aboriginal people regarding the educational system.

Conflict theory was brought to the lame light by sociologists Karl Marx and Max Weber. According to conflict theory, in the society there exist two social groups the upper class and the lower class (Rogers, 2010). In this film, the upper class included the missionary group and the government while the lower class was the Aboriginal people. Conflict theory also denotes that the upper class or ruling class, which in this case is the Canadian government oppress the lower class or subject class in this case the Aboriginal people.

In the film, conflict arises when the government has imposed a new residential, educational system on the Aboriginal people, which goes against their cultural practices. It is better understood that the Canadian government is oppressing the Aboriginal people in terms of education. . That sentiment had been witnessed when the Aboriginals’ cultural identity was replaced by the educational system implemented by the Canadian government and missionary groups. Conflict theory can go to the extent of becoming physical and forceful as witnessed in the film when the Canadian government took Aboriginal children from their native homes, separating them from their families, and taking them to school institutions.

Conflict between the two groups escalated since Aboriginals’ culture was further compromised by that act. The Canadian government took up the strategy of first taking children from the Aboriginal community to the schools they had established. The second plan involved teaching children about the Canadian mainstream society, Christianity and languages such as English and French. Conflict theory is further demonstrated by this act since there is now a struggle between Canadian mainstream society and Aboriginal culture.

The conflict is present in the school institution since children from Aboriginal community are alienated. Conflict theory is better applied in this film than the other sociological perspective theories since it displays the struggle between the Aboriginal people and the Canadian government. The conflict continues since Aboriginal view their culture as superior to what the Canadian government is imposing on them. It is interesting to note also that the Canadian government views its mainstream practices as superior to Aboriginal’s culture.

As long as compromise will not be reached by these two groups, conflict theory will continue to be operational (Rogers, 2010). Taking into consideration course concepts taught in class, some concepts are