A Critical look at the theories of sociology of education

Abstract

This paper sets out to discuss major theories of sociology of education in an attempt to reveal why we need to extend analysis beyond their current forms. It provides both a brief historical account for each theory and fundamental critiques directed towards them. Sociology of education has taken a historical turn by breaking away from the dominant understandings of functionalist theories of 1950s. The matters of history, social class, race and gender and their intimate links to the education began to occupy a prestigious position in sociological analysis of education. However, the new sociology of education also could not escape from creating its own field specific orthodoxies.