The Sociology of Education

About

This module allows you to explore current and enduring educational questions through a sociological lens and to identify the relationships between education and social inequalities. Special attention is paid to issues of social justice, inclusion and exclusion, and the possibilities for social transformation.

The module considers various axes of power, identity and institutional organisation, with sessions focused on social class, race and ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, and learner and teacher identities. We will explore how the work of key theorists and research in the sociology of education can help us to better understand these issues and how we might respond to them.

While individual sessions deal with discrete topic areas, emphasis is placed on establishing links and drawing out shared approaches. The module will introduce sociological and educational concepts from the field of Education Studies, enabling you to become familiar with a range of theoretical perspectives and apply them to current institutional and professional contexts.

Finally, the module will enable you to draw on sociology as a discipline to understand and critically evaluate educational practices, providing a solid foundation in the sociological underpinnings of education.

Week one
Introduction to the sociology of education
Social class and the English Education System
Social class and in-school strategies
The development of the sociology of education at the IOE; the IOE Archives

Week two
Gender in education
Sexuality in education
Religious identity in education
Race and ethnicity
Visit to Museum of London

Week three
Learner identities
Teacher identity and professionalism
Consolidation of learning from the module

Course leader

Nicholas Wollaston

Course aim

This module aims to:

- Develop an awareness of the role and contribution of sociology in analysing, enduring and fundamental educational questions, particularly the relationship between education and social inequalities.
- Equip you with the conceptual tools to apply a sociological lens to key debates in education.
- Introduce key research studies in the sociology of education and help you to identify different theoretical and methodological approaches.
- Enable you to construct and sustain academically coherent arguments

Fee info