Brief Summary of Chapter 9

Disciplinary Institutions

French Sociologist, Michel Foucault, studies social institutions that he called disciplinary institutions. These institutions are distinct because they exist to change people. Disciplinary institutions play an important role in preserving racism. The role of prisons in supporting racism is one example. This chapter shows how American schools have the characteristics of disciplinary institutions. In this role to preserve white values. The argument is made that ending racism requires developing strategies to transform disciplinary institutions into institutions that empower individuals.