This book, the fifth in the series developing BernsteinOs code theory,
presents a lucid account of the most recent developments of this code
theory and, importantly, shows the close relation between this
development and the empirical research to which the theory has given
rise. Pedagogy, Symbolic Control and Identity addresses the central
issue of BernsteinOs research project: are there any general principles
underlying the transformation of knowledge into pedagogic communication?
In BernsteinOs view, we have studied only pedagogic messages and their
institutional and ideological base. We have not studied the nature of
the relay which makes messages possible. The discussion of this research
forms part II of this book, where Bernstein makes explicit the
methodology of the research and, in particular, the crucial significance
of languages of description. This new edition of Bernstein's classic
book is updated with three new chapters: on discourse, on official
knowledge and identities, and a wide ranging interview with Joseph
Solomon. The new edition, published as Volume Five in his Class, Codes,
and Control Series, builds on the continuing tradition of Bernstein's
highly influential work on class, education, language, and society.