EDUCATION UNDER THE LENS OF CULTURAL SOCIOLOGY: POSSIBILITIES

Abstract

This article examines the potential of Jeffrey Alexander’s Cultural Sociology for analyzing educational processes. Unlike traditional sociology of culture, which subordinates cultural phenomena to social structures, cultural sociology views culture as an autonomous system of meanings that both influence and is influenced by social action. Alexander’s "strong program" in cultural sociology emphasizes the analysis of binary codes, narratives, performances, and social dramas as key elements for understanding collective life. Applying this framework to education, the study demonstrates how symbols, rituals, and narratives shape pedagogical practices, curricula, and school interactions. The conclusion highlights that cultural sociology provides valuable theoretical tools for rethinking education in a more inclusive and reflective manner, emphasizing the role of educational institutions as spaces for the production and contestation of cultural meanings.