The course is designed to introduce students to concepts, theories and research relevant to the relationship between education policy and its societal context. It will explicate the historical and societal contexts from which modern schooling system and its policies are generated. The course will analyze how education policies affect the structure and process of modern societies. It will also discuss the functions and effects of education policies in addressing social issues in modern society. These may include issues on identity formationin various domains of society, social selection, educational and social inequality, selection and distribution of educational knowledge, and freedom and choice in the educational process.