{"product_id":"social-realism-knowledge-and-the-sociology-of-education-scholarly","title":"Social Realism, Knowledge and the Sociology of Education - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Social Realism, Knowledge and the Sociology of Education: Coalitions of the Mind, the volume is recommended for readers seeking a rigorous, realist counterpoint to dominant trends in contemporary educational thought. The collection presents a sustained critique of \u003cstrong\u003epostmodernism\u003c\/strong\u003e and progressivist constructivism, and the single biggest reason to buy is its clear, collective articulation of a realist alternative that speaks directly to curriculum debates, professional autonomy and the nature of disciplines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays address the sociology of knowledge, educational policy and the structure of disciplines, giving readers wide-ranging context for debates in education.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book develops a consistent realist position that challenges prevailing postmodern and progressivist views, which helps clarify conceptual foundations for researchers and teachers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisciplinary breadth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters cover cultural studies, English, science and the arts, offering concrete examples of how realism applies across school subjects and academic fields.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussions of vocational education and professional autonomy connect theory to policy and classroom concerns, useful for policymakers and practitioners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEditorial coherence:\u003c\/strong\u003e The collection is well edited and organized, making a collective argument rather than a scattershot anthology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book suits graduate students, academics and educational policymakers who want a rigorous defense of a \u003cstrong\u003erealist sociology of education\u003c\/strong\u003e that interrogates assumptions behind curriculum and research practices. It is especially valuable for scholars working on knowledge structures, curriculum theory and the sociology of disciplines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders primarily seeking practical classroom activities, step-by-step teaching guides or an introductory primer on progressive pedagogy should look elsewhere, as the volume is theoretical and aimed at critical analysis rather than lesson planning.\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 sustained, collective critique of postmodernism and constructivism that is intellectually substantive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eConnects theoretical position to concrete areas like vocational education and professional autonomy, increasing practical relevance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIncludes discussion across multiple disciplines, clarifying how realism informs subjects such as science, English and the arts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe book's focus on theoretical argument means it is less directly applicable for teachers seeking immediate classroom strategies.\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\u003eAuthor \/ Editor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKarl Maton\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSociology of knowledge and education policy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDisciplines discussed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCultural studies, English, science, the arts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain arguments\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRealist critique of postmodernism and progressivism\/constructivism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearchers, policymakers, graduate students\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor readers prepared to engage with theory, this collection offers a coherent and provocative realist alternative to dominant educational orthodoxies, making it good value for scholars and policymakers who want to rethink curriculum and disciplinary knowledge in education.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book engage with classroom practice?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The volume links theory to areas like vocational education and professional autonomy, but it is primarily theoretical rather than a practical teaching manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho authored the collection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The work is presented under the editorship and authorship association of Karl Maton and contributors who develop the realist position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat intellectual positions does it challenge?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. The book explicitly challenges postmodernist and progressivist\/constructivist currents in sociology and education.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Karl Maton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48184195449051,"sku":"1441138501","price":51.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51aVR1nPpZL._SL1360.jpg?v=1769614228","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/social-realism-knowledge-and-the-sociology-of-education-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}