Social Theory for English for Academic Purposes: Foundations and Perspectives

This book explores the sociological commitments of mainstream ideas and theories in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), arguing for the centrality of social theory for practitioners and praxis. It provides a mapping of social theory, critical analysis of established theories, and exploration of social theories and approaches that have yet to make a full impact on EAP research and practice. The overarching aim is to promote a 'sociological imagination' among and for EAP practitioners.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book, written by pioneering architects of original social theory in educational/linguistic fields as well as expert practitioners, systematically exposes the sociological commitments of mainstream ideas and theories in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), commitments which are very often not fully examined by the discipline, but nonetheless shape practitioners' ideas and their praxis. The initial chapters outline what social theory is; the normative, critical, descriptive, social, and generative purposes it serves; the scope and limits of social theory, and tracing the major historical traditions and recent currents. This mapping of social theory is followed by a detailed argument that makes the case for the centrality of social theory for EAP practitioners and praxis and the need to develop a sociological imagination to enhance knowledge and agency of practitioners. The contributions reveal the sociological foundations and commitments that underpin established theories in EAP, such as genre theories, systemic functional linguistics, and academic literacies. Each of these three major research streams in EAP is subject to critical analysis, linking each of these streams to the sociological commitments that underpin them. Finally, the book explores the social theories and approaches that have yet to make a full or significant impact on EAP research and practice, but would enable practitioners and researchers to understand educational contexts, texts, structures, cultures, knowledge production and producers, and social agents with greater sociological clarity and sophistication. Topics covered include: social realism, legitimation code theory, critical realism, ethnography, feminism, and Bourdieusian concepts for EAP. The overarching aim of this volume is to position social theory at the heart of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) research and practice, providing a comprehensive and critical exploration of the sociological dimensions of the field. By examining the commitments and foundations of established theories, as well as the social theories and approaches that have yet to make a significant impact, this book aims to inspire practitioners and researchers to develop a deeper sociological understanding of the complexities of educational contexts, texts, structures, cultures, knowledge production, and social agents.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350227668