This book reappraises the British and American experience in curriculum studies, the curious way in which it has been dominated by certain ideas and introduces the reader to alternative ways of perceiving, defining and approaching its problems. It provides a radical critique of the whole area, presenting both Marxist and phenomenological perspectives on the current dilemmas that teachers face. The book argues that in order to understand the problems teachers face in coping with the curriculum, we must look at the situation from the point of view of the individual rather than prescribing a norm for all teachers. The dynamic relationship between the individual and the collective and the teacher and the state is one of the fundamental issues in solving the present problems in curriculum studies. The book focuses on this central problem and suggests a variety of ways in which new solutions may be found.

Originally written at a time of crisis in the education system of Britain - occasioned by cuts, contradictions and change - many of the issues discussed in this book are still relevant today. Debate in the book focuses upon an examination of the nature of the crisis, an exploration of the impact of the crisis upon school processes and upon the relationship between life in school and in the wider community, an investigation of the responses being made by pupils, teachers and educationalists to the day-to-day manifestations of the crisis and a consideration of how the current crisis is giving a particular poignancy to issues to do with the theories and methods employed in our study and interpretation of contemporary educational processes.

Although the different contributions to this book range over a wide spectrum of substantive issues, they share a common interest. This is a concern to explore the ways in which notions of the relations between theory and practice, between belief and action, can be used to develop three kinds of sensitivity in the sociology of education. A sensitivity towards how school systems are created, maintained and made to function; towards developing a more refined, critical and constructive awareness of the reliability and validity of descriptions, analyses and explanations offered in this field of study; and a sensitivity towards the ways in which changes take place within the education system and how the insights and realisations generated in the discipline might be used to control such occurrences.

This volume considers how various sociological approaches to the exploration of the conditions of teachers' might be co-ordinated so as to produce a more penetrating and reliable understanding of the main dimensions of teachers' work. Three dimensions are selected for special attention: historical, institutional and interactional contexts in which teachers operate. In different way the papers in this collection explore the contribution such an investigation of these contexts can make to our understanding of wider educational concerns.

One problem which continues to absorb social scientists is the way in which so much social deprivation stems from racial or class status. The discussion in this book is developed in two ways: firstly, careful attention is given to an examination of the way minority groups create and maintain collective identities and action. Secondly, the relationship between this movement and such topics as racism in schools, schooling, unemployment and West Indian involvement in sporting rather than academic activities is analysed, together with the nature of the educational experience of different class and gender groups.

Until this book was published, most writing on special education was about specific disabilities and how to cope with them. This book, however, considers the broader context, looking at many problems for the wider system that have arisen through integration of special education within it. The book is international and comparative in its focus and includes much North American material and work by North American researchers.

First published in 1992. For disabled people and people with learning difficulties the transition from school to college, work or training can be stressful and frustrating; job choices are often restricted, and they face barriers which are beyond their control. This book is about their struggle for choice. It sets special needs in further education in a socio-political context. By exploring the concept of 'transition to adulthood' in terms of class, race, gender and disability differences, and relating it to social, economic and political influences, it seeks to challenge complacency and encourage dialogue and debate.

First published in 1992. For disabled people and people with learning difficulties the transition from school to college, work or training can be stressful and frustrating; job choices are often restricted, and they face barriers which are beyond their control. This book is about their struggle for choice. It sets special needs in further education in a socio-political context. By exploring the concept of 'transition to adulthood' in terms of class, race, gender and disability differences, and relating it to social, economic and political influences, it seeks to challenge complacency and encourage dialogue and debate.

This book, first published in 1985, argues that changes in the education system are closely bound up with wider social and political changes. It considers items within education such as developments in teacher assessment policy and changes in the control of education policy; and external items such as new directions in the management of the economy, of class relations and of the political system. Throughout, the book reflects a mood of growing frustration and anxiety shared by many teachers and educationalists which, the book argues, stems from a feeling that the education system is not being run as it should be. This title will be of interest to students of education and sociology.

First published in 2000. This book looks at 'inclusive' education in the context of policy and practice in a number of different countries, particularly in relation to children and young people of school age. At the heart of the idea of inclusive education lie serious issues concerning 'human rights', 'equal opportunities' and 'social justice'. The papers in this book will, hopefully, contribute to stimulating further debate and dialogue over both the conceptualisation and understanding of a cross-cultural approach to inclusion and exclusion.

The British Journal of Sociology of Education has established itself as the leading discipline-based publication. This collection of selected articles published since the first issue provides the reader with an informed insight and understanding of the nature, range and value of sociological thinking, its development over the last twenty-five years as well as the analysis of the relationship between society and education. Divided into four sections, the book covers: social theory and education social inequality and education sociology of institutions, curriculum and pedagogy research practices in the sociology of education. The intention of this form of organisation is to provide the reader with an awareness and understanding of multiple perspectives within the discipline as well as key conceptual, theoretical and empirical material, including a wealth of insights, ideas and questions. The editor's specially written introduction to each section contextualises the selection and introduces readers to the main issues and current thinking in the field.

This volume considers how various sociological approaches to the exploration of the conditions of teachers might be co-ordinated so as to produce a more penetrating and reliable understanding of the main dimensions of teachers work. Three dimensions are selected for special attention: historical, institutional and interactional contexts in which teachers operate. In different way the papers in this collection explore the contribution such an investigation of these contexts can make to our understanding of wider educational concerns.

This book provides a valuable route map to the development of thinking in disability studies over the last eighteen years. It includes over twenty essential articles from the journal Disability and Society, written by many of the leading authors in the field from the UK, the USA, Australia and Europe. Compiled by the current editors of the journal, it is divided into three sections which mirror the three central themes: disability studies - clearly illustrates the debates and challenges that have emerged within the field over the last two decades policy - offers a snapshot of social policy that has impinged on the lives of disabled people in many parts of the world research issues - reveals the inequalities between disabled and non-disabled people and the advocacy of new methods and research practices. The editors' specially written introduction to each section contextualises the selection and introduces students to the main issues and current thinking in the field. Altogether this book is a rich source of ideas and insights covering conceptual, theoretical, empirical and cross-cultural issues and questions.

"The British Journal of Sociology of Education" has established itself as the leading discipline-based publication. This collection of selected articles published since the first issue provides the reader with an informed insight and understanding of the nature, range and value of sociological thinking, and its development over the last 25 years, as well as the analysis of the relationship between society and education.
The book is divided into four sections, each with a theme:
- Social theory and education
- Social inequality and education
- Sociology of institutions, curriculum and pedagogy
- Research practices in the sociology of education
The intention of this form of organization is to provide the reader with an awareness and understanding of multiple perspectives within the discipline as well as key conceptual, theoretical and empirical material, including a wealth of insights, ideas and questions. The Editor's specially written introduction to each section contextualizes the selection and introduces readers to the main issues and current thinking in the field.
Education and Society will be invaluable to students as a source of ideas and stimulus for further thinking and research. It will provide an informed basis for enhancing the sociological thinking and questioning approach of the reader.
This volume is from the" Education Heritage series," For details of other titles in this series, please go to the website at www.routledge.com/education.

This book provides a valuable route map to the development of thinking in disability studies over the last 18 years. It includes over 20 seminal articles from the journal Disability and Society, written by many of the leading authors in the field from the UK, the USA, Australia and Europe.
Compiled by the current editors of the journal to show the development of the field, the book is divided into three sections which mirror the three central themes:
- Disability Studies - the articles in this section illustrate clearly the debates and challenges that have emerged within the field over the last two decades
- Policy - this section offers a snapshot of social policy that has impinged on the lives of disabled people in many parts of the world
- Research Issues - this section brings together articles that reveal the inequalities between disabled and non-disabled people and the advocacy of new methods and research practices.
The Editors' specially written introduction to each section contextualizes the selection and introduces students to the main issues and current thinking in the field.
This book is a rich source of ideas and insights covering conceptual, theoretical, empirical and cross-cultural issues and questions. It also provides a valuable historical and contemporary lens through which the issue of disability can be explored and understood. It aims to encourage further debate, innovatory ideas and applied outcomes as well as a stimulus to encourage the reader to explore other articles that have been published in the journal.
This volume is from the Education Heritage series. For details of other titles in this series, please go to the website atwww.routledge.com/education .

This book represents an original and innovatory series of insights, ideas and questions concerning inclusive education and cross-cultural understandings. Drawing on historical and cultural material, policy developments, legislation and research findings, the book provides a critical exploration of key factors including Inclusive Education, human rights, change, diversity and special educational needs. It is a key focus of consideration how these are defined and experienced within particular societies. Contradictions, ambiguities, complexities and differences within and between societies are identified and discussed. Each contributor offers some insights into their own developments and struggles in the pursuit of inclusive thinking, values and practices.

Overall, the book enriches our existing knowledge and understanding and provides a stimulus for further work of a conceptual, theoretical and empirical form, concerning this fundamentally important topic of cross-cultural perspectives on Inclusive Education. It is essential reading for policy makers, students, teachers and researchers.

The study of disability has traditionally been influenced mainly by medical and psychological models. The aim of this new text, Disability and Society, is to open up the debate by introducing alternative perspectives reflecting the increasing sociological interest in this important topic. Disability and Society brings together for the first time some of the most recent original research in this rapidly expanding area. The contributors, both disabled and non-disabled, are all leading thinkers in their field and suggest new ways of understanding disability, developing policy and challenging current practice.

One of the disturbing messages of this book is the extent to which disabled people are suffering in society. It looks at the socio-economic issues involved as well as the personal aspects of their lives and offers solutions to the discriminating relations and practices experienced.

The study of disability has traditionally been influenced mainly by medical and psychological models. The aim of this new text, Disability and Society, is to open up the debate by introducing alternative perspectives reflecting the increasing sociological interest in this important topic.Disability and Society brings together for the first time some of the most recent original research in this rapidly expanding area. The contributors, both disabled and non-disabled, are all leading thinkers in their field and suggest new ways of understanding disability, developing policy and challenging current practice.

This book seeks to explore how disability is understood and the position and experiences of disabled people both within and across different societies. The authors explore the question of politics in relation to specific struggles, providing a wealth of insights and ideas, and examine the nature and value of a social model of disability. They criticize exclusionary barriers while advancing a more democratic and participatory society based on principles of equality, offer cross-cultural insights and present stimuli for debate and further research. The text is accessible, topical, and provides new and innovatory thinking. This book will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students, lecturers and researchers with interests in education, social policy, sociology and disability studies.

Originally written at a time of crisis in the education system of Britain occasioned by cuts, contradictions and change - many of the issues discussed in this book are still relevant today. Debate in the book focuses upon an examination of the nature of the crisis, an exploration of the impact of the crisis upon school processes and upon the relationship between life in school and in the wider community, an investigation of the responses being made by pupils, teachers and educationalists to the day-to-day manifestations of the crisis and a consideration of how the current crisis is giving a particular poignancy to issues to do with the theories and methods employed in our study and interpretation of contemporary educational processes.

First published in 1983, Gender, Class and Education is a collection of papers that formed presentations at the Westhill Sociology of Education Conference in January 1982, and is the fifth such collection to emerge from the annual conference. The conference theme, 'Race, Class and Gender', was not only chosen because of its topicality, but also to provide a framework for debate between educational researchers and teachers. The papers focus on the reproduction of gender relations through education and provide important insights into how this process works, how it is resisted in schools and colleges, and the possibilities for radical intervention. This volume includes three teaching bibliographies on gender and education which were not presented at the conference, but were compiled specially for the book.

First published in 1983, Gender, Class and Education is a collection of papers that formed presentations at the Westhill Sociology of Education Conference in January 1982, and is the fifth such collection to emerge from the annual conference. The conference theme, 'Race, Class and Gender', was not only chosen because of its topicality, but also to provide a framework for debate between educational researchers and teachers. The papers focus on the reproduction of gender relations through education and provide important insights into how this process works, how it is resisted in schools and colleges, and the possibilities for radical intervention. This volume includes three teaching bibliographies on gender and education which were not presented at the conference, but were compiled specially for the book.

One problem which continues to absorb social scientists is the way in which so much social deprivation stems from racial or class status. The discussion in this book is developed in two ways: firstly, careful attention is given to an examination of the way minority groups create and maintain collective identities and action. Secondly, the relationship between this movement and such topics as racism in schools, schooling, unemployment and West Indian involvement in sporting rather than academic activities is analysed, together with the nature of the educational experience of different class and gender groups.

This book, first published in 1985, argues that changes in the education system are closely bound up with wider social and political changes. It considers items within education such as developments in teacher assessment policy and changes in the control of education policy; and external items such as new directions in the management of the economy, of class relations and of the political system. Throughout, the book reflects a mood of growing frustration and anxiety shared by many teachers and educationalists which, the book argues, stems from a feeling that the education system is not being run as it should be. This title will be of interest to students of education and sociology.