SO123-15 Sociology of Education

Department: Sociology
Level: Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader: Anthony Ruck
Credit value: 15
Module duration: 10 weeks
Assessment: 100% coursework
Study location: University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

Sociology of Education is a sub-discipline of Sociology that takes a critical and analytical look at the design, development, experience and outcomes of the education system. Over the course of the module we will take the UK education system as a case study for helping us to understand the ways in which political, social, moral and economic agendas have shaped (and continue to shape) schools and universities. Paying close attention to key policy-making, we will ask critical questions about the role and purpose of education in relation to wider society.

Module web page

Module aims

To provide students with an introduction to the Sociology of Education as a sub-discipline, examining its development in relation to educational policy, theory and method.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week I : What is (the sociology of) education?
Week 2: What counts as education? Constructing knowledges and ways of knowing
Week 3: (Re)producing inequalities 1 ? Education and social class
Week 4: (Re)producing inequalities2 - thinking intersectionally
Week 5: Politics and moral panics
Week 7: Teachers and teaching: changing practices, roles and identities
Week 8: The forces of privatisation: from 'New Labour' ...
Week 9: The making and shaping of Higher Education
Week 10: Education Otherwise

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

By the end of the module students should understand:- the socially constructed nature of educational systems and the shaping of educational in relation to political and economic agendas;
the policy landscape in relation to the education system in England and its historical development;
the role of social theory and method in constructing and shaping Sociology of Education as a sub-discipline.

Indicative reading list

Generic Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module can be found on

Subject specific skills

Applying appropriate sociological theories to education
Using sociological analysis in understanding education.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking
Oral communication skills
Research using both acacdemic and ‘grey literature’
Self-direction / motivation
Achieving deadlines

Study time

Type	Required
Lectures	9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Seminars	9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Private study	132 hours (88%)
Total	150 hours

Private study description

Written online feedback.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group A1

	Weighting	Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Assessed Essay	100%	Yes (extension)
Students will select one from a number of titles, eachl reflecting a different aspects of the module. All essays will enable students to demonstrate module's principle learning outcomes.
Reassessment component is the same

Feedback on assessment