The Sociology of Education is a hybridization of two fundamental institutions in any society. The melding of Sociology and Education is particularly crucial in industrialized societies where growth and progress are significantly dependent upon survival, innovation, and access to resources.
Having had extensive exposure to college students for over forty six years has taught me much about where the typical student places her or his emphasis with regards to future aspirations. Unfortunately, the majority does not perceive the connection between their current statuses and efforts and the value of education as an entity more valuable than a passport to gainful employment. Lost is the importance of education for the sake of enlightenment. Since few are stuck in abject poverty, they are unlikely to see the relationship between educational opportunities and social class status.
Educators, in general, are not imbued with abnormally high economic backgrounds. This book is an excellent segue into a topic with which many are likely to be familiar, and if nothing else, to grow a sense of appreciation for the rather privileged statuses of those who are fairing well. The topics in this book are relevant to any and all social sciences, and are grist for interesting discussions in any course open to contemporary discourse.
PART ONE
Introduction: The Melding of Sociology and Education
PART TWO
Sociology: The Study of Group Dynamics
PART THREE
Education and Women
PART FOUR
The Interweaving of Race and Ethnicity with Education
PART FIVE
An Aging Population and Education
PART SIX
The Interdependence of Politics and Education
PART SEVEN
Social Class: The Relative Significance of Education
PART EIGHT
Survival, Innovation and Access
Works Cited
Index