Relational Sociology and Research on Schools, Colleges, and Universities

Description

Brings relational sociology to bear on educational research. Relational sociology was conceived by theorists frustrated by what they viewed as an incomplete accounting of social reality. Torn between notions of structural rigidity, on the one hand, and rational choice individualism, on the other, relational sociologists have sought new units of analysis. Social reality, they have argued, is manufactured through relationships. People are who they are, and society is what it is, not because of some individual or collective “essence” but because of the networks that social beings build among one another. Relational Sociology and Research on Schools, Colleges, and Universities demonstrates the value of introducing new relational methods and epistemologies in educational research. The contributors examine the roles and significance of ongoing transactions among connected social actors―students, peers, families, teachers―in a variety of institutional contexts. The book explores various uses and applications of relational sociology in education, while highlighting its promise to provide fresh insight into intractable problems of inequity in US schools. Contents List of Illustrations and Tables Acknowledgments Introduction Education, Equity, and the Promise of Seeing Relationally Anti-Essentialism and Educational Research Sociology and Relationships Seeing Relationally Relational Theory and Practice in Education The Organization and Purpose of this Book References Chapter 1 Toward a Relational Sociology of Education The Theory of Relational Sociology A Rejection of Essentialism A Transcendence of Dualities of Sociological Thought A Theoretical Commitment to Bourdieu’s Concept of Field Relational Sociology and Educational Theory Structural Theories of Education Organizational Theories of Education Individual Theories of Education Relational Realism in Education Relational Sociology and Methodology in Education Quantitative Methods in Education Qualitative Methods in Education Social Network Analysis Relational Ethnography Conclusion Note References Chapter 2 Embedding Networks in Fields: Toward an Expanded Model of Relational Analysis in Education Relational Sociology: From Attributes to Relations SNA and Education Embedding Networks in Fields Ties to Positions Positions and Perceptions Empirical Considerations Methods for Relational Analysis Conclusion References Chapter 3 Which Truths Shall We Speak to Power? Relational Sociology in Qualitative Research on Educational Stratification Foundations in Sociological Conflict Theory Theoretical Paradigms in Qualitative Stratification Research Constructivist Qualitative Research Critical Qualitative Research Bringing Relationships Back In: The Potential of Relational Sociology An Illustration from Elite Decision Making Talking Risk in the Humanities Interpretations and Their Implications Ethical Implications for Researchers of a Relational Perspective Practical Implications for Decision Making of a Relational Perspective Conclusion Notes References Chapter 4 Relational Sociology and Race Relations: Pushing the Conversation in Higher Education Substances and Relations: Introducing Relational Sociology The Relational Nature of Race Campus Racial Climate and the Potential of Relational Sociology Is Campus Racial Climate a Substance? Pitfalls of Substantialist Thinking Understanding the Campus Racial Climate as a Relation Relational Sociology and Race Relations Rethinking Aspects of Campus Racial Climate Research Diverse Identities to Diversity Processes From Racial Slights to Racialized Transactions Conclusion References Chapter 5 Reconsidering the Role of College Advisors as Key Relationship Brokers in High School Networks Moving toward a Relational Framework in College Access Research The Role of External College Programs Moving toward a Relational Understanding of External College Programs Methods and Data Case Sampling Data Collection and Analysis The Cases Union High School Valley High School Findings The Centrality of Advising: Insights from the Network Analysis Transmission and Collaboration in College Information Networks: Insights from the Qualitative Data Relationships and Trajectories of Action Lessons Learned from a Relational Approach Notes References Chapter 6 Why Study with Friends?: A Relational Analysis of Students’ Strategies to Integrate Social and Academic Life Past Research on College Students, Friendship Networks, and Academics Methods Results Strategies Students Use to Integrate Friends and Academics A Relational Lens on Students’ Strategies Relational Benefits of Studying with Friends Conclusion Notes References Chapter 7 What Can Relational Sociology Reveal about College Writing and Remediation? Background: The Problem of Remediationin US Higher Education Gaps in Understanding Remediation Methodological Gaps Theoretical Gaps The Limitations of Methodological Individualism and Structuralism A Relational Framework for Understanding Writing Transactions Cultural Conflict and Power Dynamics The Comprehensive Field of Study A Few Words on Methodology The Setting How Theory Informed Methodology Three Narratives from a Relational Study of Remedial Writing Transactions The Narrative Discussion and Analysis Cultural Conflict and Power Dynamics The Narrative Discussion and Analysis Comprehensive Field of Study The Narrative Discussion and Analysis Conclusion Notes References Contributors Index