Understanding Education Av Alan (King'S College London) Cribb, Sharon (King'S College London) Gewirtz

Who should be educated, when, by whom and how? What purposes should education serve? Why does education matter?<br/><p>These fundamental questions of value are not always seen as central to the sociology of education. However, this book argues that they are pivotal and provides a sophisticated and engaging introduction to the field that is designed to open up these important debates. It draws attention to the many points of disagreement that exist between major thinkers in the sociology of education, and the values on which their ideas are based. By involving readers in crucial questions about the potential contribution of sociology to education policies and practices, it aims to bridge the divide between education as it is talked about by academics, and the concerns of policymakers and educators who have to make practical decisions about what is to be done.<br/><br/>Chapter by chapter the book introduces competing approaches in the sociology of education - structural functionalism,