Sociological Foundations in Education

Group Submission Type: Book Launch

Description of Session

Sociological Foundations of Education is one of the volumes included in a six-volume series focused on Foundations of Education. The series offers a substantial but also comparative view of how the six selected foundational disciplines shape the study of different education topics. The six volumes are devoted, respectively, to the disciplines of philosophy (Volume 1), history (Volume 2), sociology (Volume 3), politics (Volume 4), economics (Volume 5), and law (Volume 6). The structure of the volumes are intentionally consistent in that the same set of chapter headings appears in each of the volumes and in the same order. The goal of this parallel structure is to encourage the chapter authors, all internationally recognized experts in their fields, to explore the same key topics in education from the vantage point of their respective disciplines.

Our proposed book launch focuses on the Sociological Foundations of Education volume, and in particular, highlights how comparative and international scholarship on education that has been shaped by sociological influences over the past two decades. The editors and chapter authors are all recognised comparative and international education scholars. At the book launch, the editors will first present a synopsis of the book’s intent and objectives. Following the overview, book chapter authors will make brief five-minute presentations on their respective chapters, to include the following: (1) Mapping the field, drawing specifically on the role of comparative and international education scholarship in sociological foundations and framing of education; (2) How the purposes of education have shifted over time; (3) A discussion of the objectives and implementation of different curricula; (4) Analysis of different types of schools and education systems and their outcomes; (5) Approaches to teaching and the role of teacher education; and (6) Different types of assessment and evaluation regimes and their implications for equity.

The book launch will both celebration the publication of this volume, but also critically open necessary discussions around the ways in which, but also future possibilities for, sociology as a discipline is being drawn on, shaping and re-articulating our understanding of key issues in the study of comparative and international education.

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Workshops, Book launches, and Visual Art Exhibits / Book Launch

Chair

• Laura C. Engel, The George Washington University

Book Launch Presenters

• Miri Yemini, Tel Aviv University

• Matthew A.M. Thomas, The University of Glasgow

• Kerstin Martens, University of Bremen

• Katerina Bodovski, Penn State University

• Soo-yong Byun, Penn State University