This text discusses the meaning of education through an examination of life paths, identities and significant learning experiences. Looking at education over three generations, the book demonstrates how the synthesis of social

This text discusses the meaning of education through an examination of life paths, identities and significant learning experiences. Looking at education over three generations (of war and scant education; of structural change and increasing educational opportunities; and of social well-being and wide educational choice) the book examines a variety of questions.

Culture and power are among the most passionately argued concepts and ideas amongst social scientists. The relation between culture and power manifests itself in the concept of symbolic power. The essays in this multifaceted book examine the past and present forms of symbolic power in different geographical and temporal contexts.

The book is organized into four major parts. The first part, Symbolic (Mis)representations of Reality, focuses on the concept of symbolic power, classification as a strategy of symbolic manipulation, the authority of first person narration, advanced marginality,...

The 20th century was marked by the expansion of educational opportunities world-wide. It was the century of education, and the role of the state in the promotion of public education has been decisive. Yet, at the millennium's turn efforts to diminish the role of the state are rapidly changing education, especially in terms of its role in democracy. This comprehensive handbook offers a view of the social context of education, outlining the challenges as well as the advances in public and private education systems. It presents an integrated account of social theory and methodologies, along with...