Raymond Williams and Education: History, Culture, Democracy

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Raymond Williams' major contributions to intellectual progress are usually categorised within cultural theory, media studies or neo-Marxist studies. Serious analysis of his contributions to education as a field of practice as well as a field of study have been relatively neglected. This is the first book to redress that omission, focusing on how his writing and thought have helped us to understand education in Britain and also provide analytical tools that have helped to shape educational studies in the USA and internationally. Ian Menter draws on Williams' several novels, including Border Country, as well as on his seminal contributions to cultural theory, including Culture and Society, The Long Revolution, Keywords and Marxism and Literature. Menter also examines how Williams' life shaped his understanding of education including his early involvement in adult education and his deeply ambivalent relationship with the academy. Public education is positioned as a key arena of social struggle where decisions shaping the nature of our futures and crucial to creating a democratic and just society. The book includes a foreword by Michael Apple who is John Boscom Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of WisconsinMadison, USA, which makes reference to the importance of Williams' work in relation to education in the USA.

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Ian Menter provides a brilliant account of Raymond Williams life and theoretical and creative contributions to the social sciences and humanities. Drawing on Williams, he also elucidates the structure of feeling in contemporary education and resources of hope for rethinking education towards achieving more democratic and socially just societies. * Bob Lingard, Professorial Fellow, Australian Catholic University and Emeritus Professor of Education, The University of Queensland, Australia. *
We know almost nothing about Raymond Williams influence on and in education. This wonderful book remedies that omission. This is a rigorous, sympathetic and insightful account of Williams contribution to educational thinking. It draws not only on his well-known academic works but also his novels, essays and other writing. Menter has done a great service to the education community. * Stephen J Ball, Emeritus Professor of Sociology of Education, University College London, UK *
Part biography, part affectionate critique, Ian Menters masterful treatment of Williams work is a timely reminder of the responsibility of intellectuals to engage the wider world. This volume situates education writ large within the broader story of social change, and points to the work still to be done. * Christopher Lubienski, Professor of Education Policy, Indiana University, USA *

Author Bio

Ian Menter is Emeritus Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Oxford, UK. He is Senior Research Associate at Kazan Federal University, Russia, Visiting Professor at Ulster University, Northern Ireland, Visiting Professor at Bath Spa University, UK, and Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter, UK. He is a Past-President of both the British and Scottish Educational Research Associations (BERA and SERA).