Background of the program

Sociology and Social Anthropology are closely related social science disciplines. They study the ways in which people live together under various social and cultural conditions.  By exploring the multifaceted dimensions of human societies, they seek to understand human behavior, social interactions and institutional structures in all their diversity. The study of societal development – the cultural, technological, economic and societal transformations that trace the evolution of human societies and civilizations and the emergence of contemporary peoples, social organizations, institutions, states, economies and cultures – is central to the study of social order and disorder in anthropology and sociology.  Likewise, the study of the multiplicity of cultures and cultural engagement – and among these, of differences of race, ethnicity, and gender – stands at the heart of the study of contemporary societies and the long sweep of their historical development, as it is informed by the study of our disciplines.

Sociology and Social Anthropology not only share a profound general interest in human societies and cultures, but specifically share strong and mutual interests in:

Global Studies, and overlapping area studies;

Inter-disciplinary, the crossing of artificial departmental boundaries;

The link between theory and practice;

Applied work, such as community service, internships and ethnographic field activity; and Fieldwork and

An interest in language and communication.

3. Rationale

The rationale for the present curriculum revision is based on the findings of the need assessment surveys which were conducted by various institutions and Ministry of Education (MoE) to find out the types of skills and knowledge required by various stakeholders and to determine the content and focus areas of the Curriculum of the department of Sociology and Social Anthropology in Ethiopia public higher institutions. The findings of the survey indicated that students who graduate in Sociology and Social Anthropology lack communication and computer skills, exposure to the world of work and skills of conducting independent research projects as well as reluctance involving in field works among others. In addition, the data gathered from graduates who are employed in various governmental and non-governmental organizations disclosed that the courses in the previous curriculum are largely theory based, and imbalance between sociology and anthropology courses. Moreover, the previous curriculum suffers from shortage of time to accommodate theory based courses simultaneously with their applied components. Contrary to this, modularization is believed to increase degree comparability and compatibility, curriculum flexibility, and student mobility. It also strengthens the relationship between the world of education and the world of work.

 

In addition, the MoE has also proposed for the implementation of the Modular Curriculum in all Public Universities starting from 2005 academic year. Accordingly, there has been a national consensus on the following major points:

 

1. Social problems are becoming complex from time to time at the global level in general and Ethiopia in particular. The revised curriculum in the fields of Sociology & Social Anthropology will enable the graduates from the department to respond in a timely manner to the changing occupational, civic and cultural needs of the country

 

2. Critical knowledge of sociological and Anthropological theories, Social Research Methods and social Intervention practice will enable the graduates to understand the pragmatic conditions of Ethiopia and the rest of the world. This will also enhance the ability of the graduates to identify and solve societal problems. To achieve these goals, the department has planned to enhance students’ conceptual, pragmatic and methodological and problem solving competencies by modifying the content of the courses where needed and by integrating them with practical components

 

3. The program sees the necessity of linking the sociological concepts, theories and methods with major societal issues, and encouraging students to use these concepts, theories and methods in their own thinking and practice. By bridging the gap between the principles learned and actual societal issues, the Department hopes to prepare students to be successful in their professional, civic, and personal lives. The program also wishes to empower students by promoting awareness that they can bring about change in the community which they are going to serve.

 

4. In view of the fact that many of the graduates will become socioeconomic experts in both governmental and nongovernmental offices, there is a need for building their analytical competence and theoretical sophistication on the socio-cultural dimensions of development programs by providing case studies and challenges which are cumulative and progressively demanding. In order to help students more easily connect Sociological to social issues and career opportunities, the Department wants to streamline development related courses by instituting coherence and thoroughness.

3. Vision

The vision of the department of Sociology and Social Anthropology is to be a national centre of academic excellence which assures quality and equity of education by the year 2020 that aims at producing competent citizen.

 

 

 

 

4. Mission

The department of sociology and Social anthropology has a mission of offering relevant, efficient and quality education and training; designing and assuring standard of efficiency, conducting demand driven research and rendering & efficient community services. The department of sociology and Social anthropology is established to function as an academic unit in the university. The program is also mandated to:

Design and implement undergraduate and graduate programmers and short term trainings in accordance with the needs of the university;

Publish and disseminate research works as well as hold discussion forums to deliberate upon the result;

Establish and run academic journals and newsletters;

Upgrade the qualifications of its academic staff and enhance continuously their professional competency;

Contribute specially to the institutional capacity building of other public and non-profit -making private institutions, including the upgrading of the qualifications of their academic status;

Provide consultancy services to governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the community;

Cooperate with the with different stakeholders on relevance of education and quality matters;

Carry out such other activities that accord with its objectives and the mission, vision and objectives of the departments.

5.  Values

The department of sociology and social anthropology has taken the following as a core values:

Quality: The department of sociology and social anthropology makes quality its priority in every aspect of its activities.

Care for the community: The department of sociology and social anthropology is from the community and for the community. The department strives to change and solve the problems of the community.

Committed no matter what: The department of sociology and social anthropology keeps on working hard despite challenges because the College wants to make its future better.

Equality in all: The department of sociology and social anthropology treats everyone equally regardless of colour, religion, gender, disability or ethnic background in all service and resource provisions.

Equity in all: The department of sociology and social anthropology encourages fair access of resources and services to all groups of society; it takes sustainable affirmative action giving due focus to disadvantaged groups.

Valuing each other: we value, respect and appreciate each other’s ideas and contributions to the growth and transformation of the country.

Creativity Culture: The department of sociology and social anthropology makes innovation, adoption, adaptation and transfer of knowledge in its every walk of life.

Democratic thinking: The department of sociology and social Anthropology values freedom of expression, rule of law, transparency and accountability in every aspect of its endeavors. It promotes the culture of participatory decision making.

Recognition: The department values, respects and appreciates ideas and contributions to the growth and transformation of the country.

 

4. Program Objectives

a. General Objective

The general objective of the program is to produce knowledgeable, skilful, competent and responsible professionals in socio-cultural, political and economic development of the country by providing adequate training at a bachelor level.

 

b. Specific Objectives

The program has the following specific objectives:

To produce graduates who are capable of integrating theory and research methods and apply it in the actual social settings.

To produce graduates who are able to initiate and take part in research projects with the intention of identifying the causes and consequences of socio-economic and environmental problems and generate appropriate data for the process of policy formulation.

To provide wide opportunity for graduates to learn more about their diversity and integrity as well as world reality.

To produce graduates equipped with intervention skills in solving problems of individuals, groups, institutions, communities and societies

5. Resources

In order to launch the study program and to attain its objectives the department uses the following human and material resources:

Academic Staff

Supportive Staff

Library

Computer lab.

Class room

Offices

6. Professional profile

A graduate whose background in sociology and Social Anthropology has a valuable importance in almost any modern organizational setting; Graduates apply their knowledge, skills, and values across a wide variety of occupations and professions.

 

A professional in Sociology and Social Anthropology can work in the following carriers:

Teaching several courses in higher institutions and other colleges.

Apply their expertise in different governmental, non-governmental and private organization

Can create job opportunities for themselves and for others

Empowering marginalized and disadvantage groups

Conducting and advising research activities

Delivering different trainings on social, economic and cultural affairs of the society

Engage as a social policy planner, implementer, analyst and evaluator

Work as a Social, cultural and economic consultants,

human resource managers, and program managers,

gerontologists,

surveyor and statisticians,

urban planners,

work in social and community development programs,

Criminologists,

Program directors, coordinators and officers in social service agencies.

designer and implementer different development projects

Social problem solvers,

Conflict analyst and resolvers

Promote multi-culturalism, social justice and tolerance with society of diverse culture.

Effectively utilizing indigenous knowledge in collaboration with the ‘conventional’ knowledge.

Able to apply their knowledge in the area of  contemporary issues such as population, poverty, environment, globalization, Corruption, Terrorism, HIV/AIDS and other social problems

 

 

 

7. Graduate Profile

The graduates of Sociology & Social Anthropology in the B.A Program will be expected to have the following sociological and Anthropological attributes:

Develop social policy, planning, implementation, evaluating and analyzing skill;

Equipped with community mobilization and participation skills;

Engaged in development Project identification, design,  implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities;

Equipped with the skills of problem identifications, interventions, empowerment of the needy individuals, groups or society; and rehabilitating of them;

Equipped with the skills of applications of qualitative and quantitative research methods,

Able to understand and respond to the essence of  contemporary issues such as population, environment, globalization, cooperation, modes of social organizations, HIV/AIDS, gender, ethnic and cultural diversity, tolerance, social justice, and relationships among diverse groups

Applying sociological and anthropological theories, methods and practices in dealing with the real social, economic and political problems of the country;

Able to understand and work within diverse cultural settings.

Understand the roles of Indigenous Knowledge and institutions in promoting development;

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Program Profile

a. Admission Requirement

Students who have completed their preparatory lessons and passed college/university entrance examination will be admitted to the program. Moreover, for summer in-service, evening extension, and distance learning a three-year diploma and above  in social sciences fields, teacher education, and health related fields from a recognized college makes applicants eligible to the program.

b. Duration of Study

The study program in Sociology and Social Anthropology takes three years with six semesters.

c. Mode of delivery

Mode of delivery of the study program in their respective semester will be mixed.

d. Method of Teaching

Methods of teaching will be a combination of:

Lecture

Gapped lecture

Group discussion and Presentation

Field observation and demonstration

Field trip

laboratory

Peer teaching

Questioning and answering