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Sociology of educational systems: The case of teacher training in the twentieth century Western Australia
Doctoral Thesis   Open access

Sociology of educational systems: The case of teacher training in the twentieth century Western Australia

John Joseph Kurzeja
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
1997
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Abstract

The purpose of this work is to investigate the sociology of educational systems, both in its theoretical and empirical aspects, by examining the development of teacher training in twentieth century Western Australia. The theoretical enquiry consists of a critical examination of the writings of selected social theorists, particularly Max Weber and some of his followers (especially Margaret Archer), who employed the interpretive method of macro-sociological analysis of educational systems. A relevant selection of system theorists' ideas is also incorporated into the conceptual framework. The empirical investigation examines teacher training in Western Australia, mainly between 1902 and 1990. In the empirical part of the work, the historical method was used, consisting of a critical examination of extant published and especially unpublished archival sources whereby data was obtained to test the validity of the research theses. The main findings of the investigation were that (1) teacher training originated as an educational system in the twentieth century Western Australia in response to specific social, political, economic and cultural conditions, and (2) the system's developmental trajectory (especially its goals and structure) was a reflection of the changing societal matrix. Distinct phases of the system's development were identified and hermeneutic constructs suggested to provide a sociological explanation of the systemic evolution.

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