Although Parsons is a social theorist
that is overlooked in the modern canon of sociology, his work on structural
functionalism offers a good understanding of large institutions on a macro
approach. Structural functionalism is a focus on a social structures tasks and
responsibilities. His study of structural functionalism has been considered a
perspective rather than a theory and doesn’t necessarily mimic all institutions;
however, it can be used as a tool to dissect some systems such as a college or
university.
When applying his model of structural
functionalism to UIC, the perspective proves to be of some use. There are four
elements to Parsons’ description of structural functionalism and they describe
the system to have: social control, socialization, adaptability, and a belief
system. In my example UIC is the social system and everything outside of the
institution is considered the environment. The universities primary goal is to
educate and graduate its students using an integrated system of departments
place as resources and management tools. UIC also has a latency function seen
in the department heads which maintains the system.
There are various aspects of the
UIC campus that promote social control. The easiest way to think of social
control would be process of imposing laws, rules, or boundaries that everyone is
expected to adhere to. The large emergency boxes stationed throughout the
campus, signs and key chains that display the slogan “if you see something, say
something” are posted, as well as a visible campus police presence are
available in an effort to deter crime. These tactics are all forms of social
control to deter crime by insinuating to a potential offender that their chances
of being caught are high.
Socialization is evident throughout the campus by the masses of student
interactions that take place daily. The process of socialization is learning
what and why things do or don’t happen. A few examples would be students playing
games in the quad, the use of the grass as a relaxation/study area, sitting on
top of the benches designed for sitting, and even something like wearing UIC
apparel which displays a pride in the university. The incoming students might
not have thought to partake in these activities; however, seeing current
students partake in them lets them know this is a socially acceptable behavior.
The university has no choice but to be adaptable to the ever changing
student population. Adaptation is the ability to change when the environment
changes. As the needs of students are always very diverse and unique, the
university has some moral as well as legal obligations to accommodate students
to a certain degree. The students with disabilities department, veterans’
affairs, ethnic student networks, and various religious groups on campus shows
the universities ability to adapt to students of diverse backgrounds.
UIC students, faculty, and staff all have some level of a collective
consciousness at each level. The collective consciousness is a group of shared
beliefs or values that promote solidarity and a feeling of community. In the
academic setting students are expected to respect the person conducting the
class whether it is a professor, teaching assistant, or a fellow student. The
students expect to be in an environment conducive to the learning process, and
to have instruction for the time allowed by the university. Faculty members
expect to have students in the classroom on time and ready to learn, as well as
turn in assignments on time. Staff members expect to do their jobs without
incidents or interruption. These aspects are all a part of the belief system
within the university.
Along side these descriptive elements Parsons model of the AGIL system
describes how everything is supposed to work together. (A) adaptation (G) goal
attainment (I) integration and (L) latency. UIC shows adaptation with its
changes policy and procedure with the student population as well as current
issues. The goal as stated above is to educate and graduate the student body.
Each department within the university has a specific function regulated by
department heads in response to the adaptation of policy to further their goal
of education. Latency within the university is propelled by the need for higher
paying jobs that require a college education. This fact only multiplies as time
goes on and jobs become more difficult to get because education requirements
expand. The job hunt motivates the individual to attend school and the culture
promotes higher education. Each function of the university is essential to its
growth and reputation given the outline of structural functionalism.
that is overlooked in the modern canon of sociology, his work on structural
functionalism offers a good understanding of large institutions on a macro
approach. Structural functionalism is a focus on a social structures tasks and
responsibilities. His study of structural functionalism has been considered a
perspective rather than a theory and doesn’t necessarily mimic all institutions;
however, it can be used as a tool to dissect some systems such as a college or
university.
When applying his model of structural
functionalism to UIC, the perspective proves to be of some use. There are four
elements to Parsons’ description of structural functionalism and they describe
the system to have: social control, socialization, adaptability, and a belief
system. In my example UIC is the social system and everything outside of the
institution is considered the environment. The universities primary goal is to
educate and graduate its students using an integrated system of departments
place as resources and management tools. UIC also has a latency function seen
in the department heads which maintains the system.
There are various aspects of the
UIC campus that promote social control. The easiest way to think of social
control would be process of imposing laws, rules, or boundaries that everyone is
expected to adhere to. The large emergency boxes stationed throughout the
campus, signs and key chains that display the slogan “if you see something, say
something” are posted, as well as a visible campus police presence are
available in an effort to deter crime. These tactics are all forms of social
control to deter crime by insinuating to a potential offender that their chances
of being caught are high.
Socialization is evident throughout the campus by the masses of student
interactions that take place daily. The process of socialization is learning
what and why things do or don’t happen. A few examples would be students playing
games in the quad, the use of the grass as a relaxation/study area, sitting on
top of the benches designed for sitting, and even something like wearing UIC
apparel which displays a pride in the university. The incoming students might
not have thought to partake in these activities; however, seeing current
students partake in them lets them know this is a socially acceptable behavior.
The university has no choice but to be adaptable to the ever changing
student population. Adaptation is the ability to change when the environment
changes. As the needs of students are always very diverse and unique, the
university has some moral as well as legal obligations to accommodate students
to a certain degree. The students with disabilities department, veterans’
affairs, ethnic student networks, and various religious groups on campus shows
the universities ability to adapt to students of diverse backgrounds.
UIC students, faculty, and staff all have some level of a collective
consciousness at each level. The collective consciousness is a group of shared
beliefs or values that promote solidarity and a feeling of community. In the
academic setting students are expected to respect the person conducting the
class whether it is a professor, teaching assistant, or a fellow student. The
students expect to be in an environment conducive to the learning process, and
to have instruction for the time allowed by the university. Faculty members
expect to have students in the classroom on time and ready to learn, as well as
turn in assignments on time. Staff members expect to do their jobs without
incidents or interruption. These aspects are all a part of the belief system
within the university.
Along side these descriptive elements Parsons model of the AGIL system
describes how everything is supposed to work together. (A) adaptation (G) goal
attainment (I) integration and (L) latency. UIC shows adaptation with its
changes policy and procedure with the student population as well as current
issues. The goal as stated above is to educate and graduate the student body.
Each department within the university has a specific function regulated by
department heads in response to the adaptation of policy to further their goal
of education. Latency within the university is propelled by the need for higher
paying jobs that require a college education. This fact only multiplies as time
goes on and jobs become more difficult to get because education requirements
expand. The job hunt motivates the individual to attend school and the culture
promotes higher education. Each function of the university is essential to its
growth and reputation given the outline of structural functionalism.