COLEMAN,JAMES STUDIES OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM AND HOW THEY RELATE TO HIS THEORY OF ACTION AND SOCIETY

In Germany in recent years, James Coleman had his biggest impact as a rational choice theorist. In contrast, this paper examines his contrib utions to empirical educational sociology. His major studies in this f ield will be surveyed and the relative importance within his overall s ociology which must be attributed to them will be argued. On this basi s, the following questions will be answered. Did his theoretical work influence his empirical studies in the sociology of schools and of ado lescence? If so, how? And which interconnections exist in Coleman's ma thematical sociology and his role as a social policy activist?