ABSTRACT
Sociology as a discipline could be considered a modernist project par excellence. The initial disciplinary sociological project in education was rather grand – it aimed to uncover the generic relationship between education and society. It drew out of the density of social life and its complexity the principles which governed the structures, processes and the multiplicities of cultures and cultural identities. In so doing, sociologists also had emancipatory ambitions. Critical sociology of education has tried to promote social justice by informing governments of the impact of their policies on people’s lives. It has also attempted to support diverse forms of political resistance and action by working – although, it must be said, not that often – with particular groups engaged in struggle.
