Springer Social Justice and Education in the 21st Century: Research from South Africa and the United States (Diversity and Inclusion Research)

The world is not an equal place. There are high- and low-income countries and high- and low-income households. For each group, there are differential educational opportunities, leading to differential educational outcomes and differential labor market opportunities. This pattern often reproduces the privileges and inequalities of groups in a society. This book explores this differentiation in education from a social justice lens. Comparing the United States and South Africa, this book analyzes each country’s developmental thinking on education, from human capital and human rights approaches, in both primary and higher education. The enclosed contributions draw from different disciplines including legal studies, sociology, psychology, computer science and public policy. From the Back Cover The world is not an equal place. There are high- and low-income countries and high- and low-income households. For each group, there are differential educational opportunities, leading to differential educational outcomes and differential labor market opportunities. This pattern often reproduces the privileges and inequalities of groups in a society. This book explores this differentiation in education from a social justice lens. Comparing the United States and South Africa, this book analyzes each country’s developmental thinking on education, from human capital and human rights approaches, in both primary and higher education. The enclosed contributions draw from different disciplines including legal studies, sociology, psychology, computer science and public policy. About the Author Willie Pearson, Jr. is Professor of Sociology of Science and Technology at the School of History and Sociology, Georgia Institute of Technology (USA). His major research interests are sociology of family, sociology of education, science and technology policy, science engineering workforce, human resources in science and engineering, especially in underrepresented groups. He has authored and co-edited several books, the most recent of which being Advancing Women in Science (Springer). Vijay Reddy is a Distinguished Research Specialist in the Education and Skills Inclusive Education Development research program at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in South Africa. Her three major areas of research are large scale achievement studies, skills planning and public understanding of science. She also conducts life history research. Dr. Reddy has published a number of journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed monographs and research reports.