School and the Production of Society

Abstract

Most sociological theories present school as a source and a channel of social reproduction: of a dominant group, of essential values, of bureaucracy, etc. This paper, primarily based on a study of the origins of colleges and the bourgeoisie in the sixteenth century comes to an opposite conclusion: it shows school as an agent or an active medium in the emergence of structures and social groups. Other historical situations reveal the multiple contributions school makes to the production of society. While interrelating history, pedagogy and sociology, this constructivist point of view renders an active role to the teachers.