Aspirations, Education and Social Justice Applying Sen and Bourdieu [Paperback]

Caroline Sarojini Hart presents a radical new paradigm for thinking about the role of education in the development of human flourishing.Aspirations, Education and Social Justiceapplies Amartya Sen's capability approach to understanding the nature of aspirations, in the light of a critical analysis of policies to widen participation in education. Sen's work is synthesised with key concepts from Pierre Bourdieu to develop an analytical framework for understanding the processes influencing the development and realization of aspirations.

Drawing on empirical studies, involving over 1,000 young people, aged 14-19, this text explores the hopes and dreams of these young people for the future. The young people's voices challenge dominant discourses of aspiration, well-being and advantage, and invite readers to rethink their own positions on these issues.

Introduction
1. Education Policy Issues
2. Sen's Capability Approach
3. Blending Sen and Bourdieu
4. Evolving Theory into Method
5. The Nature of Aspirations
6. The Genesis of Capabilities
7. Aspirations, Capabilities and Choice
8. The Promise of Higher Education
9. The New Pursuit of Justice
Bibliography
Index

Caroline Hart is Senior Lecturer in Education at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, and Affiliated Lecturer in Education at the University of Cambridge, UK.