An investigation into the curricula of two secretarial courses and their relationship to a socially constituted image of the secretarial function

This investigation outlines the secretarial function and popular images of the secretary. The curricula of two secretarial courses within one particular technical college are described and analysed in relation to both the secretarial function and also socially constituted images of the work. The central focus of this work is Post GCE 'A' Level and Postgraduate young women studying on secretarial courses. A sample of these students, together with their teachers, was interviewed and responses are analysed to provide information on the effects of knowledge transmission in the classroom on individual students' beliefs and ideas about secretarial work. The tacit teaching of values and expectations within the hidden curriculum is also explored. The theoretical analysis of the curricula in question discusses the extent to which the curricula function, both officially and unofficially, to perpetuate and recreate the popular image of the secretary. The theoretical discussion is also concerned with an analysis of the secretarial function and possible explanations for the maintenance of gender differentiated occupations in the office culture. Three empirical studies concerning secretarial work in Great Britain have been carried out during the past decade, and data from these sources has been used in the current investigation. However, no other work has been found which concentrates on secretarial knowledge and its transmission in the classroom. The work which has been carried out by other researchers explores various aspects of secretarial work itself. Therefore no other research appears to have been conducted from a standpoint with any similarity to the current investigation.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

mphil

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Garnett College

Year dc:date.issued

1981

Author dc:creator

• Gibb, Valerie

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Bernstein, Basil
• Dickinson, Hilary
• Erben, Michael

• LC Special aspects of education

Language dc:language

en