The Sociology of Education and Connections to Music Education Research

Abstract

Abstract From popular culture to “high” culture and throughout history, much can be learned from how music functions within cultural contexts and how individuals in culture are taught and learn about music. Although sociologists have long recognized that music is an important part of any culture (Etzkorn, 1989, p. xiii), the sociology of music and the sociology of music education have become recognized fields in their own right only recently (Rideout, 1997a). Likewise, musicologists increasingly tap into the sociological literature for insight into the historical, social, and political contexts of music. The emerging links portend an exciting collaboration among sociologists, musicologists, and music educators (Hilliard, 2000). The subfield of the sociology of education provides a direct link to music education through discussions of theory and research methods. In the pages that follow we address several important topics: (1) the nature and scope of the sociology of education, (2) the historical background of the sociology of education, (3) key topics in the sociology of education, (4) theoretical streams in the sociology of education, (5) method and methodology in the sociology of education and music education, (6) the development of the sociology of music education, and (7) suggestions for a future research agenda in the sociology of music education.