SUSTech | Introduction to Sociology of Education

📚 Content Summary

This General Education (GE) elective course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental theories and frontier issues within the sociology of education. Designed to cultivate strong critical thinking and interdisciplinary analysis, particularly benefiting STEM students, the course equips learners to use sociological frameworks to objectively analyze contemporary social challenges and educational reforms. The small class size (maximum 32 students) fosters a highly interactive learning environment, supported by weekly readings of classic sociological texts. Key assignments include a group mid-term research design summary and an individual final presentation (30% of the final grade). No prerequisites are required.

This course provides an introduction to core sociological theories (Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Bourdieu) and frameworks used to analyze educational reforms, social stratification, and inequality, fostering advanced critical thinking skills.

🎯 Learning Objectives

1. Master fundamental sociological theories (e.g., Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Bourdieu) and apply them to critically analyze the structure and function of the educational system.
2. Analyze the complex roles of education in both fostering social mobility and perpetuating social stratification and inequality.
3. Evaluate contemporary educational challenges and reforms, including curriculum sociology, language codes, and the evolution of higher education.
4. Cultivate interdisciplinary critical thinking skills and practice basic sociological research design and objective analysis of real-world social issues.

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🔹 Lesson 1: Foundations of Educational Sociology

Overview: Introduction to the scope and history of the sociology of education. Examination of key structural theories, focusing on functionalism and the subsequent critiques regarding its view on social stratification and order.

Learning Outcomes:

• Define the field of sociology of education and its relevance to contemporary society.
• Analyze Functionalist theory concerning the role of education in maintaining social order.
• Critique the functionalist perspective using counter-arguments and alternative viewpoints.

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🔹 Lesson 2: Education, Society, and Cultural Capital

Overview: Exploring the purposes of education related to social development and the mechanisms by which education maintains social order. Introduction to the concept of cultural capital and initial discussions on educational fairness.

Learning Outcomes:

• Assess the relationship between education, social development, and the promotion of societal stability.
• Understand the influence of various social elements (politics, economy, culture) on the education system.
• Introduce the concept of cultural capital and its implications for student achievement.

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🔹 Lesson 3: Social Stratification Theories

Overview: Definition of social stratification and analysis of its causes. Comparison of how Functionalism and Conflict Theory explain the persistence and generation of social hierarchy.

Learning Outcomes:

• Define social stratification and understand its prevalence in modern societies.
• Compare and contrast the explanations of stratification provided by Functionalist and Conflict theories.
• Develop a critical perspective on the sources of social inequality.

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🔹 Lesson 4: Education and the Stratification Cycle

Overview: Detailed examination of the role education plays in addressing social stratification, viewing education as a starting point, a treatment method, and a final goal. Focus on concepts of fairness (entry, process, and outcome equity).

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze the concept of educational fairness, focusing on the urban-rural gap and modernization development.
• Evaluate education's potential to intervene in social inequality at different stages (entry vs. outcome).
• Discuss the limitations of education in resolving fundamental stratification issues.

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🔹 Lesson 5: Expert Seminar on Contemporary Issues (I)

Overview: A dedicated session featuring an invited guest speaker (external faculty or expert) to share specialized research and perspectives on current frontier issues in educational sociology or related interdisciplinary topics.

Learning Outcomes:

• Engage with specialized research topics presented by an academic expert.
• Broaden understanding of interdisciplinary connections in educational sociology.
• Formulate critical questions based on the seminar presentation.

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🔹 Lesson 6: Understanding Social Mobility

Overview: Introduction to the concept of social mobility and an overview of mobility trends, particularly focusing on the characteristics and developments of social mobility within China. Analysis of how mobility patterns influence education.

Learning Outcomes:

• Define and categorize different types of social mobility.
• Analyze the key factors that drive or hinder social mobility in contemporary China.
• Evaluate the reciprocal influence between social mobility and educational opportunities.

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🔹 Lesson 7: Vulnerable Groups and Education

Overview: Focus on the educational experiences and challenges faced by specific vulnerable populations, including left-behind children in rural areas and migrant children in urban areas. Discussion of policy implications.

Learning Outcomes:

• Investigate the unique educational challenges encountered by 'left-behind' children.
• Analyze the integration challenges of migrant children into urban education systems.
• Develop an objective analysis of social hot spots related to internal migration and education.

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🔹 Lesson 8: Mid-term Research Design Workshop

Overview: Group formation and intensive workshop session dedicated to initiating the mid-term research design project. Students select a research topic related to the course and begin drafting their research question and methodology.

Learning Outcomes:

• Formulate a focused research question relevant to the sociology of education.
• Outline the basic methodological steps for an empirical study.
• Receive initial guidance from the instructor and TA on project feasibility.

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🔹 Lesson 9: Mid-term Research Design Presentation

Overview: Groups present their preliminary research designs, including the rationale for topic selection, core literature review, and proposed methodology. Peer and instructor feedback is provided.

Learning Outcomes:

• Present a coherent summary of the intended research design and empirical approach.
• Justify the selection of the research topic within the field of educational sociology.
• Refine research methods based on feedback to ensure feasibility and rigor.

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🔹 Lesson 10: Sociology of Curriculum: Structural Theories

Overview: Introduction to the sociology of curriculum, focusing on its main arguments: social control, resistance, and competition. Examination of the Structure-Functional and Interpretative theoretical perspectives on curriculum.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the primary points of contention within the sociology of curriculum studies.
• Analyze the curriculum's function as a tool for social control versus a site for student resistance.
• Differentiate between Structure-Functional and Interpretative approaches to curriculum analysis.

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🔹 Lesson 11: Symbolic Interactionism and Curriculum Practice

Overview: Deep dive into the Symbolic Interactionism theory as applied to curriculum studies. Focus on how curriculum manifests in practical settings and classroom interactions. Analysis of practice applications.

Learning Outcomes:

• Apply Symbolic Interactionism theory to understand micro-level classroom dynamics.
• Analyze how teachers and students negotiate curriculum content and meaning in practice.
• Connect curriculum theory to real-world educational practices and applications.

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🔹 Lesson 12: Language, Codes, and Academic Performance

Overview: Investigating how schooling transfers social controls across different classes. Analysis of Basil Bernstein's language code theory and Ivan Illich's critique of mass education ('Deschooling Society').

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain Basil Bernstein's language code theory and its impact on academic achievement.
• Evaluate Ivan Illich's arguments regarding the social role of compulsory schooling.
• Analyze the influence of family background and schooling on academic outcomes across diverse social groups.

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🔹 Lesson 13: Expert Seminar on Advanced Topics (II)

Overview: A second specialized guest lecture focusing on advanced, niche, or cutting-edge theoretical areas relevant to educational sociology, offering students exposure to high-level academic discourse.

Learning Outcomes:

• Synthesize complex ideas presented by the guest lecturer.
• Practice critical listening and academic engagement in a specialized context.
• Identify potential areas for future research or specialization.

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🔹 Lesson 14: Bourdieu and Cultural Reproduction

Overview: Introduction to Pierre Bourdieu's core theoretical toolkit, including concepts like habitus, field, and various forms of capital. Detailed study of the theory of cultural reproduction and relevant case studies.

Learning Outcomes:

• Master Bourdieu's core theoretical concepts (e.g., cultural capital, habitus).
• Apply the theory of cultural reproduction to explain educational inequality.
• Analyze real-world educational scenarios through a Bourdieusian lens.

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🔹 Lesson 15: Sociology of Higher Education Reform

Overview: Overview of the history and current challenges of higher education reform in China. Discussion on global trends and specific innovative developments within institutions like the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech).

Learning Outcomes:

• Trace the historical development and evolution of higher education reform in China.
• Identify major contemporary challenges facing the Chinese higher education system.
• Analyze the implications of institutional innovation (like SUSTech’s model) from a sociological viewpoint.

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🔹 Lesson 16: Student Final Research Presentations

Overview: Individual students present their final research reports, summarizing their analysis of a chosen topic related to the course content, demonstrating critical application of sociological theory and empirical research understanding.

Learning Outcomes:

• Deliver a formal presentation summarizing independent critical analysis or research findings.
• Demonstrate the ability to use sociological theory to analyze social hot spots.
• Reflect on the learning outcomes and empirical research methods grasped throughout the course.

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