The sociology of education: discoveries and discontents

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to analyse what has happened to the sociology of education. In the past educational sociology produced prodigious theories concerning education, and was a source of leading debate. However, today educational sociology is much less influential than it used to be, it has also been partly diluted by policy related perspectives. The importance of this investigation is that it will help ascertain whether sociology is of value to education. To carry out this study, I will examine the distinctive phases of sociology’s development. I have identified these as, the Early Sociology of Education, Interactionist and Marxist sociologies, and lastly the approach of the "New Right'. Within each stage I aim to appraise the strengths and weaknesses of sociological techniques to education. This will enable me to formulate a comprehensive understanding of the progression of educational sociology. I will therefore be able to ask the question, 'did sociologists create their own nemesis, or were there other factors which caused educational sociology to decline?' My intention is to examine phenomena outside of sociology that may have induced sociology's demise. Have changing social and economic conditions made a move away from sociology? Finally, one last inquiry I will undertake is, 'do we need a future sociology of education?'