Sociology of education
Learning Unit 1: What is
Sociology of Education
Definitions/ Key concepts:
Sociology:
• Auguste Comte first used the term and recognized a need for a distinct science of human society.
• Studied social laws that regulate and control relations and actions between people and social
institutions (family, school, economics, and political systems).
• Combination of latin words “socuis” – companion and “logos”- study of.
1
, DEFINITION: the study of companionship or social relations, in other words the study of the
origin, development, organisation, and functioning of human behaviour as they are affected
by social interactions
• Involves study of social factors ( ideas, feelings and ways of behaving)
• Durkheim emphasised that sociology is a study of systems that should be investigated as a
whole.
Education:
• Comes from Latin word “educere” – to bring out that which is within
• Concerned about eliciting the human values that are latent in every human being and must be
drawn out.
DEFINITION: The act or process of acquiring knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning
and judgement, and preparing individuals intellectually for mature life.
• It is not static but dynamic and an ever-changing process, and serves as a form of socialisation.
• Plato emphasised the importance of a just society, using education to produce a balanced,
smooth functioning society.
• Education is a form of learning that is transferred from one person to the other, leading to
individual growth and intended to serve society’s needs.
Sociology of Education:
DEFINITION: The study of educational structures, processes, and practices from a sociological
perspective, and defines the scientific analysis of the social processes and social patterns involved
in the educational system.
• This means that it is used to increase the understanding of the relationship btw. Educational
institutions and society, both at the micro and macro levels.
• This work started with Emile, Durkheim, and Max Weber, with sociologists Talcott Parsons, Pierre
Bourdieu, etc.
• Durkheim considered education to be essentially social in character and in its functions.
2
,Functions of Sociology of Education:
General POV: acquisition of knowledge and dev. Of the personality of an individual are presumed to be
main function of education.
But from a sociological perspective education has the following functions:
1. The assimilation and transmission of culture and traditions
2. The Development of new social patterns
3. The activation of constructive and creative forces
3
, In more detail……
• Creates individuals that can contribute to society
• Produce citizens who understand democracy
• Create people who make use of leisure time
• Teach to adapt to change
• Promote knowledge of socially acceptable morale practices and ethical standards
• Develop people who have an understanding of human relations and motivations.
The micro approach is dominated by
symbolic interactionism, and the Macro
approach is dominated by functionalism and
conflict theory
4
Learning Unit 1: What is
Sociology of Education
Definitions/ Key concepts:
Sociology:
• Auguste Comte first used the term and recognized a need for a distinct science of human society.
• Studied social laws that regulate and control relations and actions between people and social
institutions (family, school, economics, and political systems).
• Combination of latin words “socuis” – companion and “logos”- study of.
1
, DEFINITION: the study of companionship or social relations, in other words the study of the
origin, development, organisation, and functioning of human behaviour as they are affected
by social interactions
• Involves study of social factors ( ideas, feelings and ways of behaving)
• Durkheim emphasised that sociology is a study of systems that should be investigated as a
whole.
Education:
• Comes from Latin word “educere” – to bring out that which is within
• Concerned about eliciting the human values that are latent in every human being and must be
drawn out.
DEFINITION: The act or process of acquiring knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning
and judgement, and preparing individuals intellectually for mature life.
• It is not static but dynamic and an ever-changing process, and serves as a form of socialisation.
• Plato emphasised the importance of a just society, using education to produce a balanced,
smooth functioning society.
• Education is a form of learning that is transferred from one person to the other, leading to
individual growth and intended to serve society’s needs.
Sociology of Education:
DEFINITION: The study of educational structures, processes, and practices from a sociological
perspective, and defines the scientific analysis of the social processes and social patterns involved
in the educational system.
• This means that it is used to increase the understanding of the relationship btw. Educational
institutions and society, both at the micro and macro levels.
• This work started with Emile, Durkheim, and Max Weber, with sociologists Talcott Parsons, Pierre
Bourdieu, etc.
• Durkheim considered education to be essentially social in character and in its functions.
2
,Functions of Sociology of Education:
General POV: acquisition of knowledge and dev. Of the personality of an individual are presumed to be
main function of education.
But from a sociological perspective education has the following functions:
1. The assimilation and transmission of culture and traditions
2. The Development of new social patterns
3. The activation of constructive and creative forces
3
, In more detail……
• Creates individuals that can contribute to society
• Produce citizens who understand democracy
• Create people who make use of leisure time
• Teach to adapt to change
• Promote knowledge of socially acceptable morale practices and ethical standards
• Develop people who have an understanding of human relations and motivations.
The micro approach is dominated by
symbolic interactionism, and the Macro
approach is dominated by functionalism and
conflict theory
4
