Saturday, June 15, 2019

Unit I: Sociology of Education

1.1  Concept of sociology and sociology of education

Sociology

The word sociology has been derived from two words 'Socio' and 'Logy'. 'Socio' stands for society whereas 'Logy' refers to study or science. Hence etymologically sociology means scientific study of society. French philosopher Auguste Comte used the word 'sociology for the first time in 1837. he put the sociology at the top preceding other sciences calling it as a comprehensive science. Comte defined sociology as the synthesis of all sciences. Since Comte contributed to emerge sociology as a scientific study of society, he is called as the father of sociology. Sociology studies social phenomena and process along with social organizations and cultural patterns in scientific manner. It studies the aspects that fall within the scope of multidimensional behavior and interaction of human being with social institutions.

Definitions of Sociology

'Sociology is the study of science of society.'- Auguste Comte
'Sociology is the study of different forms of human interactions.' - Max Weber
'Sociology is the study of the process of interaction of persons and patterns in relation to biological psychological and cultural influences.'- Herbert Spencer
  

Sociology of education

          Sciology of education is defined as a study of the relations between education and society. It is an investigation of the sociological processes involved in an educational institution. To Ottaway (1962), it is a social study and in so far as its method is scientific, it is a branch of social science. It is concerned with educational aims, methods, institutions, administration and curricula in relation to the economic, political, religious, social and cultural forces of the society in which they function. As far as the education of the individual is concerned, sociology of education highlights on the influence of social life and social relationships on the development of personality. Thus, sociology of education emphasizes sociological aspects of educational phenomena and institutions. The problems encountered are regarded as essentially problems of sociology and not problems of educational practice.
          Sociology of Education, therefore, may be explained as the scientific analysis of the social processes and social patterns involved in the educational system. Brookover and Gottlieb consider that ―this assumes education is a combination of social acts and that sociology is an analysis of human interaction. Educational process goes on in a formal as well as in informal situations. Sociological study of the human interaction in education may comprise both situations and might guide to the development of scientific generalizations of human relations in the educational system. The sociology of education is the study of how public institutions and individual experiences influence education and its outcomes. It is most concerned with the public schooling systems of modern industrial societies, including the growth of higher, further, adult, and continuing education. It is a philosophical as well as a sociological concept, indicating ideologies, curricula, and pedagogical techniques of the inculcation and management of knowledge and the social reproduction of personalities and cultures. It is concerned with the relationships, activities and reactions of the teachers and students in the classroom and highlights the sociological problems in the realm of education.


Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) who is regarded as the ‘father’ of sociology of education clearly defines sociology of education as “A systematic study sociological perspective.” This definition of sociology of education is suitable because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. It clearly states that it is important to know sociology before knowing what sociology of education is. This is because sociology is related to sociology of education.

1 comment:

  1. thank you sir for the blog.but unfortunately the blog is not in the proper sequence.it couldnt achieve the proper flow.we will be more thankful if this problem is done.

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