First published in 1981, this book provides a basic introduction to the sociology of education. It brings together many of the principal arguments in order to help the student reach an understanding of the multitude of conflicting opinions, theoretical positions and biases within the field.

With a global coverage, the book emphasizes the implications of the developments of the sociology of education for educational policy.

1. Changing sociologies 2. Changing sociologies of education 3. Socialization 1. The Child and the Family 4. Socialization 2. Language, intelligence and ability 5. Into the classroom 6. Teachers and teaching 7. Social organization of knowledge 8. Schools as organizations 9. Education and the structure of opportunity 10. Education and the Third World 11. Reproduction and relative autonomy; Bibliography; Name index; Subject index