Sociology
Mohammad Taghi Sabzehei
Abstract
The present article reviews and criticizes the book ‘postcolonial theory and Kurdology’ authored by Jalil Karimi. In the introduction section, firstly, the postcolonial studies have been defined and important approaches have been introduced. Then, the book has been analyzed from both formal ...
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The present article reviews and criticizes the book ‘postcolonial theory and Kurdology’ authored by Jalil Karimi. In the introduction section, firstly, the postcolonial studies have been defined and important approaches have been introduced. Then, the book has been analyzed from both formal and content points of views. The results of this analysis show that there are some problems with regard to the formal viewpoint: it lacks introduction and general conclusion; the book has both the preface and introduction, and the English equivalence of the title of the book has not been written at the back of the book, and some of the authors’ names have not been mentioned in English in the text. From the content viewpoint, the sample size (i.e., eight books) is not enough; discourse analysis is mostly context-based, and in most of the cases, no attention has been paid to the historical and social backgrounds of the formation of Kurdish discourse. The analyses concerning issues, such as “negativism”, “nativism” and “the relationship between knowledge and power” are weak. The positive points of the book include its novel theme, fluent prose, strong theoretical framework, appropriate methodology, and accurate referencing system. The book is likely to have a significant impact on Iranian humanities studies in terms of theoretical, paradigmatic and methodological aspects; it also strengthens multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies, qualitative methods, critical approaches, indigenous knowledge and the concept of “subjectivity” in Iranian studies.
Sociology
Hamed Sajadi; Mohsen Badreh
Abstract
Cultural differences have always been regarded as significant in human social life. A comprehensive understanding of these differences plays an influential role in explaining and predicting interactions and communications between cultures and within them. Geert Hofstede’s theory of Dimensions of ...
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Cultural differences have always been regarded as significant in human social life. A comprehensive understanding of these differences plays an influential role in explaining and predicting interactions and communications between cultures and within them. Geert Hofstede’s theory of Dimensions of national Culture which is completely introduced in his prominent book titled Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind has been developing in the last three decades as a pioneer and influential theory for study of intercultural differences. In short, preparing a new realm in the field of interdisciplinary studies of culture and using limited dichotomies in recognizing national culture dimensions are among this theory’s privileges while historicity, underestimating social dynamics and diversity, the failure to utilize a consistent and strong theoretical foundation, and ecological fallacy are regarded as its main limitations.
Sociology
hossein sarfaraz; mohsen amin
Abstract
Media literacy is an educational construction that is constituted through media education process. Audience is one of the bases and constituting elements of this construction which has a double meaning in media education: First, the audience is one of the main debates in media education and second, the ...
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Media literacy is an educational construction that is constituted through media education process. Audience is one of the bases and constituting elements of this construction which has a double meaning in media education: First, the audience is one of the main debates in media education and second, the learner as an audience in media education is placed in the position that constitutes the media literacy construction. In other words, the teacher and the educational system with the task of educating the learners want to specify some debates on the concept of the audience during the course of teaching the textbook and at the same time, transmit those teachings to the learner that is an audience of media who has a live experience in an increasingly mediated culture. The education is faced with a complex challenge by this fact; on the one hand, media literacy presupposes the active audience to understand its subject; on the other hand, the textbook presupposes the audience as a passive one who is going to gain the necessary subjectivity through the education process. By the perspective of deconstruction, this contradiction is not within the writing of the textbook, nor is outside the text. Therefore the object of analysis in this paper is the very text of the book. The main paper’s question is questioning the meaning and contradictory site of the audience in the textbook. The aim of the paper is highlighting the perceived contradiction by applying Jacques Derrida’s strategy of deconstruction.
Sociology
Khadijeh Safiri; Elnaz Shir Mohammadi
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present a critical evaluation of The Deadly Identities, a book resulted from life experiences of the French-Lebanese author, Amin Maalouf, which has been written to explain an extremely significant issue: fascism, desire for domination, and deadly identities will be arisen ...
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The purpose of this paper is to present a critical evaluation of The Deadly Identities, a book resulted from life experiences of the French-Lebanese author, Amin Maalouf, which has been written to explain an extremely significant issue: fascism, desire for domination, and deadly identities will be arisen if different identities are offended and threatened with annihilation. People’s identities contain several and on occasion paradoxical elements; in other words, they benefit from hybrid identity. Therefore, one special possession should not be ascribed to them; they must demand all their belongings. By hybrid identity, it means that an individual can possess two nationalities, be born from parents with two different religions, speak in some languages whilst considers all of these as his/her possessions and see him/herself as belonging to them, too. In accordance with this meaning, human being’s dignity, departed from all identical differences, should be preserved. The most noticeable critical results, related to the form of the book, include typesetting, incorrect pronunciation of English words, and grammatical errors. Ignoring agency and the process of determining identity can be considered as the most severe criticisms in relation to the content.
Sociology
gholamreza sedighouraee; Maryam Eskafi Noghani
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to explain the main criticisms of the main propositions in the book “The Rules of the Methodology of Sociology” by Emile Durkheim. The content of this famous book, one of the basic books in sociology, suggests that Durkheim has attempted to introduce sociology as ...
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The aim of this paper is to explain the main criticisms of the main propositions in the book “The Rules of the Methodology of Sociology” by Emile Durkheim. The content of this famous book, one of the basic books in sociology, suggests that Durkheim has attempted to introduce sociology as a science with a subject and method independent of other sciences, and to show that this Science is an experimental science. He described his views on this topic in six chapters in this book. Some of the contents of this book are in different chapters, although it is for the purpose of proving what was said, it also contains the material that can be considered as a confession of Durkheim’s confession against his perception that is referred to in this article. And, in some cases Durkheim has used words which could disclose others' perceptions of his point of view. In some cases, Durkheim has fallen victim to misleading concepts that do not criticize his ideas, and in some cases the concepts and meanings are not clear.
Sociology
siavash gholipour; homayoun moradkhani
Abstract
The book “Consumer Society and the Postmodern City”, is the narrative of the formation of the consumer society and its contradictions, in the midst of recent developments. This work seeks through the viewpoint of philosophers such as Bowman and Baudrillard to show that the attempt of modernity ...
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The book “Consumer Society and the Postmodern City”, is the narrative of the formation of the consumer society and its contradictions, in the midst of recent developments. This work seeks through the viewpoint of philosophers such as Bowman and Baudrillard to show that the attempt of modernity has failed in the preservation of scarcity, certainty, and alien phobia. In the postmodernity, these cases in the form of costly, uncertainty, and roaming returned to the life cycle of the whole society as a consumer, a society whose obvious characteristic is seduction, and although people think that they have the power of choice and freedom, they pursue a self-directed physical exercise that aims to fit their body with the product promises. In parallel with the changes in the consumer society, in the global-localized world, replacement of the nation-state with the cities is observed as the main actors. In these cities, some people, groups, and organizations have a global initiative and they seized space, but others are subdued by places and endured in discarded spaces such as heterotopia. The postmodern city is still a differentiated city, in spite of its consumer spaces and the domination of the ethics of consumption. Excessive attention to the consumer society, the low weight of the post-modern city content and the lack of attention to urban morphing from the consumer society are among them.
Sociology
Baharak Mahmoodi
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present, review, and criticize the book “Meaning of Everyday Life” which has been written by English-born Susie Scott in 2009. A book that tries to examine and consider all aspects and dimensions in relation to the concept of "everyday life" in ten chapters. ...
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The purpose of this article is to present, review, and criticize the book “Meaning of Everyday Life” which has been written by English-born Susie Scott in 2009. A book that tries to examine and consider all aspects and dimensions in relation to the concept of "everyday life" in ten chapters. The assumption of the author is based on the fact that the study of everyday life in the field of sociological studies, which is usually engaged in answering questions and predicting macroeconomic trends in the community, has been regarded as a marginal archetype that seems to be unmistakable as if it was not necessary to study it. The author claims that recognizing macro-social structures regardless of micro levels, such as the realm of everyday life, will not be possible. As a result, it will be argued that the author could not get out of the narrow circle of social psychology and discusses the issues at sociological levels, as claimed. For this reason, the author has used superficial and non-theoretical approaches in different chapters, and it has not gone beyond the initial levels of analysis.
Sociology
Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Mahdavi; Danial Bagheri
Abstract
Niklas Luhmann is the most prominent system theorist. System theory took shape with Talcott Parsons ideas in sociology. The starting point of Luhmann’s system theory has been influenced by Parsons, proposing an integrated approach combining elements of Parsons structural functionalism and general ...
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Niklas Luhmann is the most prominent system theorist. System theory took shape with Talcott Parsons ideas in sociology. The starting point of Luhmann’s system theory has been influenced by Parsons, proposing an integrated approach combining elements of Parsons structural functionalism and general systems theory and some concepts of cognitive biology, cybernetics, and phenomenology. Luhmann has introduced himself as the most prominent system theorist. Two main concepts in understanding the theory of Luhmann are system and environment. The key to understand Luhmann’s system theory has been hidden in the differentiation of system from its environment. One of the most basic roles of a system is to reduce the complexity of the environment. Systems produce their basic elements, regulate the borders and the relations in their structures, and are closed and self-referential. The present paper aims to analyze the system theory from the main concepts of Luhmann and to explain and criticize each of these concepts in Luhmann’s intellectual system.
Sociology
Mohammad Mirsondosi
Abstract
From the historical perspective looking at the trends and origins of knowledge in the Iranian society, we find that critical thinking has not had a significant position in any of them, and the modes of epistemic communication are such that thinking is not present in them, or if they exist, they are very ...
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From the historical perspective looking at the trends and origins of knowledge in the Iranian society, we find that critical thinking has not had a significant position in any of them, and the modes of epistemic communication are such that thinking is not present in them, or if they exist, they are very weak. As a cultural feature published in contemporary Iranian society, these currents of knowledge manifest the reflection of the low level of rationality and critical thinking. Hence, in the relationship between individuals, social and even in the scientific sphere of thought, there is no significant position. On the other hand, scientific advancement entails serious attention to critical thinking. In this way, if we consider development as a national strategy, we cannot expect a particular change in the quality of contemplative thinking in society and social, political, and cultural relations, because with the advent of the concept of thought, we are encountering a crisis and the need for development requires serious attention. It is an effort to provide the ground for its growth in society. Therefore, in this paper, suggestions are made to promote it using the method of historical analysis, introducing an anti-reflection background in the Iranian society and expressing its importance for advancement and development.
Sociology
Abdol Reza Navah
Abstract
“Critical Bibliography of Shiite Sociology” is a book in which the authors deal with the Shiite religion from a sociological point of view and with regard to the works published during the last seven decades. In each of the eight chapters of the book, the authors have examined one of the ...
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“Critical Bibliography of Shiite Sociology” is a book in which the authors deal with the Shiite religion from a sociological point of view and with regard to the works published during the last seven decades. In each of the eight chapters of the book, the authors have examined one of the practical social issues of religion. In each chapter, one of the most investigative research articles is divided into topics according to characteristics such as the sociological study, the volume of the article, and the applicability of the postscripts. Due to the nature of group writing, the book does not have the necessary coordination in terms of content and subject matter. The authors of the book have tried to address the Shiite religion not from a theological, philosophical or jurisprudential point of view, but from its social aspect and the effects it has on society and cohesion among the people. The eight chapters of the book are as follows: Social History; Clericalism and Religious Authority; Politics and Power; Art, Literature, and Culture; Rites; Mysticism and Sufism; Religious Places and Pilgrimage; Expectation and Mahdism (Mahdawiyya). The method used in this work should be considered as a documentary and hermeneutical method in which the authors of various articles have further described their perceptions of a book and its content.
Sociology
Javad Nazari Moghaddam
Volume 17, Issue 7 , January 2018, , Pages 199-217
Abstract
Many texts on the Iranian identities with an emphasis on the correlation between dictatorial structure and the mood characteristics of the Iranian society argue that despotisms through the history of this country have caused the governance of egocentric values and the non-formation of appraising features ...
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Many texts on the Iranian identities with an emphasis on the correlation between dictatorial structure and the mood characteristics of the Iranian society argue that despotisms through the history of this country have caused the governance of egocentric values and the non-formation of appraising features of development such as accountability, participation, morale, and altruism. This research attempts to criticize the common viewpoint in the field of texts related to the Iranian identities. Based on the results of the research, it seems that we should hesitate upon the functions of the mentioned theories suggesting the correlation between the rulers' autocracy and the identities of nations. The achieved results can be used as a wealth for the studies in the field of development and culture.
Sociology
Ahmad Jolaei; Abolfazl Haddad
Volume 15, Issue 35 , October 2015, , Pages 81-91
Abstract
Abstract The goal of this paper is to review the book titled Sociology of Art by Dr. Amir Hossein Arianpour. The paper starts with a short introduction on the form of the book and discusses the contents and themes in the work and briefly presents some scientific and research points which were not observed. ...
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Abstract The goal of this paper is to review the book titled Sociology of Art by Dr. Amir Hossein Arianpour. The paper starts with a short introduction on the form of the book and discusses the contents and themes in the work and briefly presents some scientific and research points which were not observed. In the beginning of the paper by emphasizing on the Roland Barthes’s The Death of the Author (French: La mort de l'auteur) thesis, the author tries- with all due respects to the author of the book- to leave out all futile concerns and compliments in order to present a clear, transparent and explicitly self-sustaining critique through adopting necessary analysis. However, before reaching that result, a brief review is presented on various theories on arts such as arts for the sake of arts, followership art and vanguard art and by giving some definitions on them, the research continues by presenting arguments on the opinion that the book is not up-to-date. In the meantime, before conclusion, there are some suggestions on the context of the book which could familiarize the reader with the approach of sociology in arts. In the last stage; i.e., conclusion, all items that should be observed on reviewing and critique in this book have been presented in an arranged order,
Sociology
F. Ershad
Volume 13, Issue 29 , June 2014, , Pages 1-22
Sociology
Jahangir Jahangiri
Volume 13, Issue 29 , June 2014, , Pages 23-42
Sociology
S. Saeid Zahed Z
Volume 13, Issue 29 , June 2014, , Pages 63-89
Sociology
Gholamreza Seddigh Ouraee; Mohammadsadiq Tuloua Barkati
Volume 13, Issue 29 , June 2014, , Pages 91-117
Sociology
Maghsood Ferasatkhah
Volume 13, Issue 29 , June 2014, , Pages 119-133
Sociology
Hassan Mohaddesi
Volume 13, Issue 29 , June 2014, , Pages 135-155