Ideology and Curriculum

The Power of Ideology in Education

Jonghoon Park

Source: Apple, Michael W. Ideology and Curriculum. Routledge, 2004.

Annotated Bibliography

In "Ideology and Curriculum," Michael W. Apple explores the ways in which educational curricula are not neutral but are designed to reflect and reinforce the interests of the ruling class. Apple argues that education systems perpetuate social stratification by embedding dominant ideologies within the curriculum, conditioning students to accept and maintain the existing social order. This work is seminal in the field of critical education theory, as it illuminates how educational institutions contribute to the maintenance of societal inequalities. Apple’s analysis is particularly relevant for those studying the ideological functions of education and its role in perpetuating economic disparities. He examines the hidden curriculum that instills values such as discipline, obedience, and competition, aligning with the economic needs of capitalism and protecting the interests of the ruling class. By conditioning students to internalize these values, educational systems ensure the reproduction of a compliant workforce and the perpetuation of social hierarchies. Apple's work supports my Marxist analysis by illustrating how education reinforces class structures and economic inequalities. His examination of the hidden curriculum provides a critical framework for understanding how educational institutions can both reflect and sustain the power dynamics of a capitalist society. This perspective is essential for my project as it connects educational practices to broader economic and social inequalities.