W. E. B. DU BOIS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION (THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL)

This study examines W. E. B. Du Bois' (1868-1963) contributions to the sociology of education. This study has both a historical and empirical dimension. First, Du Bois' contributions to both sociology and sociology of education are traced. Second, a questionnaire was used to determine what topics and scholars contribute to the structure of ideas in the sociology of education. Also, it was discovered if professors are aware of Du Bois' contribution to the sociology of education and if they use his work in their sociology of education courses. Third, a text book survey was conducted to see if the books used in the sociology of education include Du Bois as a contributor to the sociology of education. Finally, interviews were conducted with college educators who use Du Bois' works in their sociology of education courses.;There are three propositions and three hypotheses presented in this study. They are as follows: Proposition 1. Given the structure of ideas in the sociology of education, Du Bois deals with several sociological topics covered in the discipline. Proposition 2. Du Bois' work is a component of the sociology of education. Proposition 3. Du Bois' work is useful in constructing a black perspective in the sociology of education. (This proposition can not be explored empirically) so it was briefly explored in Chapter Two. . . . (Author's abstract exceeds stipulated maximum length. Discontinued here with permission of author.) UMI.;In light of the relevancy of some of Du Bois' work to the sociology of education this study addressed a set of questions. The questions are: (1) What are W. E. B. Du Bois' contributions to the sociology of education? (2) Are Du Bois' works omitted from the sociology of education literature? If so, why? (3) Are Du Bois' sociological works i.e., The Philadelphia Negro, the Atlanta studies, etc. integrated in the curricula of sociology of education courses on college campuses? (A) Are professors familiar with his works? That is, are they familiar with the sociological topics he covered; are they aware of the theoretical and methodological contributions Du Bois has made in the area of sociology? (B) Do professors use his works in their classrooms? If so, how? In other words, are his works used as required texts, supplementary texts, reference tools, etc? (4) How is Du Bois' work used in sociology of education courses? That is, is his work used as a piece of scholarship or a conceptual tool to cultivate a black perspective?...