Education and Social Structure

Abstract

In this chapter Education and Social Structure, Jon P. Knudsen argues that the role and effect of education is strongly integrated with social and cultural structures. In order to understand how education works, one has to understand how it interrelates with the norms and structure of the cultural environment it plays into. The chapter calls for a balanced development strategy, where new initiatives are discussed in relation to the social and historical environment it is part of. The focus moves from the university to the region. Of course we cannot assume that all universities are seen as part of regions. Some draw on students and subject matter from a wider world. However, even the regional role of the university, and implications for sustainability, should be explored.