{"product_id":"social-realism-knowledge-and-the-sociology-of-education-critical","title":"Social Realism, Knowledge and the Sociology of Education - Critical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Social Realism, Knowledge and the Sociology of Education: Coalitions of the Mind, the reviewer finds a focused, theoretical collection intended for readers who want a robust alternative to postmodern and constructivist approaches. The book's biggest selling point is its sustained development of a \u003cstrong\u003erealist position\u003c\/strong\u003e that engages both sociological theory and practical questions in education policy, making it useful for scholars and experienced practitioners seeking conceptual clarity rather than an introductory primer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive coverage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters address the sociology of knowledge, the educational system, and policy, providing a broad theoretical backdrop for applied debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisciplinary focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The volume examines the nature of disciplines such as cultural studies, English, science and the arts, helping readers situate curriculum debates in larger epistemological terms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChallenge to prevailing views:\u003c\/strong\u003e The realist stance directly critiques postmodernism and progressivism\/constructivism, offering an alternative framework for researchers and educators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussions of vocational education, professional autonomy and educational research connect high-level theory to classroom and institutional concerns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdited collection:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book is well edited, gathering sustained, collective critique across contributors for a coherent argument.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is best for advanced students, academic researchers and senior education professionals who already have a grounding in sociological and educational theory and want to explore a systematic realist critique. It will be particularly valuable to those writing about policy, curriculum studies or disciplinary boundaries who need a theoretical alternative to more common constructivist accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLess suitable for beginners, teachers seeking ready-made classroom methods, or readers who prefer brief overviews; the collection assumes familiarity with key debates and rewards careful, reflective reading rather than quick practical fixes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a coherent, sustained \u003cstrong\u003erealist critique\u003c\/strong\u003e that fills a gap in contemporary sociology of education debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridges theory and practice by addressing policy, vocational education and professional autonomy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWell edited contributions result in a focused collective argument rather than a scattered anthology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs an edited, theoretical volume it is dense and may be challenging for readers without prior background in sociology of knowledge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSocial Realism, Knowledge and the Sociology of Education: Coalitions of the Mind\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors \/ Editors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKarl Maton, Rob Moore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSociology of knowledge and education, education policy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDisciplines, vocational education, professional autonomy, educational research and teaching\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRealist critique of postmodernism and progressivism\/constructivism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEdited collection of papers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is a strong purchase for scholars and senior practitioners who want a rigorous alternative to constructivist and postmodern accounts; its sustained realist argument and coverage of policy and disciplinary questions make it good value as a conceptual resource, though it is not a light read for novices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book take a practical approach to classroom teaching?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe volume focuses on theoretical and policy-level analysis rather than step-by-step classroom methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho are the primary contributors?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is an edited collection led by Karl Maton and Rob Moore, featuring multiple scholars presenting a collective realist critique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the book assumes familiarity with debates in sociology of knowledge, postmodernism and constructivist educational theory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karl Maton, Rob Moore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48656280060123,"sku":"1847065058","price":172.84,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51-6_9fNC1L._SL1360.jpg?v=1778613330","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/social-realism-knowledge-and-the-sociology-of-education-critical","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}