Debre Markos University Sociology Department

Debre Markos University Sociology Department – Check Below:
1 Debre Markos University Sociology Department BACKGROUND
Social Sciences emerged in Europe in the 19th century and gave birth to different disciplines embedded in specific socio-historical contexts. Sociology was supposed to deal with the transformations of modern Western societies, induced by social and intellectual forces though later it has become one of the sciences which have universal applications throughout the world. For the last several decades, sociology has created experts on various social issues and produced pertinent theoretical perspectives as well as efficient methodological tools to offer a better understanding of contemporary social phenomena. Through empirical researches, and academic teaching, sociology treats various and complex social situations and potentially conflicting forms of sociability.
Nowadays, sociology produces professional experts on various social issues like identity, urban/rural development, religion, health and medicine, crime, and education. By mobilizing specific theories and methods, sociology offers its own approaches as one field of social sciences. Through its use of scientific methods and systematic theories, sociology is the study of diverse social groups as they emerge, persist, and change over time and of human behavior in social settings. Sociologists seek to identify and explain the underlying patterns of social relations. For an integrated economic, social and political development of a nation, educated man power is a key in several ways. It goes without saying that it is one of the key factors for alleviating poverty, technological advancement, cultural progression and political competency of a nation. Thus, it can be viewed as a key predicator for a secure and sustainable development. With this understanding, the Ministry of Education gave due attention to the education sector and has been implementing nationwide educational capacity building programmes. However, the national demand of enhancing quality education in higher learning institutions of Ethiopia pressed the need for revisiting the existing curriculum in order to shape it for the purpose of producing competent citizens. Among various efforts of the ministry of education (MoE), to provide quality education, modularization of curriculums in Ethiopian higher leaning institutions were the prime concerns. As a result, it was officially declared that all higher education institutions in Ethiopia were required to develop a competence based modular curriculum for all programs.
To this end, a thorough reference was made to existing curriculum and this nationally harmonized modular curriculum was devised by a team of sociology professionals drawn from the different Ethiopian universities in July 2013.
2. Debre Markos University Sociology Department RATIONALE
A number of factors are responsible for Ministry of Education to open the department of sociology in different universities of the country. The development and design of this new nationally harmonized modular sociology curriculum is stimulated by the pressing demand of quality education both at global and national level. Above all, the country’s current intricate and multifaceted socio-cultural and socio-economic problems demand organized intervention from professionals including sociologists. Moreover, changes related to urbanization that have occurred in the country over the past decades justify having stand-alone (full-fledged) sociology undergraduate program to deal with urban and other contemporary issues. There is indeed a pressing need and an ever-increasing demand for well-qualified sociologists in the country to assume different professional responsibilities which calls for relentless effort by the universities of the country to produce more and more sociologists over time. The need assessments conducted by the different universities of the country also vividly indicated this very fact.
3. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
3.1. General Objective
The Sociology program seeks to provide a broad range of high quality education that exposes students to sociological perspectives, leading to an understanding of our own as well as other societies and cultures.
3.2. Specific objectives: The present curriculum is designed to:
produce graduates in Sociology who are capable of integrating social theory, research, and practice;
train manpower knowledgeable of the objective conditions of the country and capable of contributing to further understanding of those conditions
produce graduates who are capable of participating in research aimed at the identification of the causes and consequences of poverty and related social problems and generate data as inputs to the process of formulation of appropriate social policies;
produce graduates who will have the basic preparation for participating in the formulation of appropriate social policies and programs designed to expedite the process of social and economic development in both rural and urban areas;
equip graduates with the knowledge, professional skills and attitudes necessary for working with and mobilizing individuals, groups and communities, from diverse cultures and multiple perspectives, for purposes of social development; and
Increase the capacity of graduates for independent or collaborative and multidisciplinary research, and cross-cultural understanding to promote processes of economic and social development of the country.
4. PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Though not exhaustibly listed, the professional profile of sociology experts is presented as follows:
Enhance the development of Ethiopia in sustainable manner through participation in poverty reduction programs
Manage social service activities in both governmental and non-governmental organizations
Work effectively with the deprived and the vulnerable groups in society
Work to improve the rural and urban livelihoods through identification of income diversification strategies for the poor sections of society
Participate in the development of socio-economic and political policies in the multilingual and multicultural societies
Advocate safeguarding of the rights of the minorities, children and women before the law of the country and international human right conventions
Undertake researches into the existing socioeconomic, cultural and political situations of local, national and global societies
Promote fair and equal treatment of members of a particular society, group or category through advocacy of the rational and integrative thinking and reasoning
Activate the protection of natural environment through community mobilization and involvement
Conserve the indigenous knowledge, traditions and culture of Ethiopia in order to promote the socio-ecological tourism development of the country
Participate in the advocacy of the occupational health of civil servants and the military within the country and across the world
Develop programs and projects for tackling social problems
Coordinate & mobilize community resources for improving the wellbeing of community members
Participate in the adoption and implementation of new policies, programs and technologies in the context of rural and urban setting of the country
Assist trade unions and cooperatives of small scale farmers, craftsmen, other occupational groups through developing capacity building programs and providing trainings
Collect and organize both qualitative and quantitative data for research consultancy firms and statistical agencies
Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of development projects of governmental and non-governmental organizations
5. Debre Markos University Sociology Department GRADUATE PROFILE
The graduates of Sociology B.A. Program from DebreMarkosUniversity are supposed to acquire wide-ranging conceptual, pragmatic, methodological and civic competencies that shall prepare them to undertake the following:
To understand, critically appraise and discuss various social science theoriesand perspectives that inform our interpretation of social processes and institutions
To develop and undertake sociological research projects, while being capable of documenting, writing up and critically assessing empirical findings;
To embark on multidisciplinary and thematic research projects; this will broaden our understanding of social processes but from various vantage points and perspectives;
To promote well informed civil discourse within local communities, Ethiopia and the world beyond;
To apply sociological perspectives to community and organizational problems;
To serve as change agents by ensuring active participation and effective teamwork amongst community members and by applying sociological knowledge and practice.
To influence national policy making and implementation exercises at different tiers of government administration encompassing the local, regional and federal levels.
To advocate on behalf of disadvantaged groups, including herders, minorities, the poor, the handicapped, the dislocated, famine victims, women, children, etc., who require a culture sensitive and compassionate understanding to their causes;
To function effectively in positions like socioeconomic planning, rural and urban development, technology transfer, health and social service delivery, relief provision, labor relations, culture office, teaching, etc., where sociological perspectives and methods are in high demand.
6. MISSION AND VISION
Mission
Provision of quality education and training for the students
Actively participating in research, publication and dissemination of knowledge of its products to the wider national and international community
Demand driven provision of quality, and large-scale community service
Vision
The vision of the department is to be one of the ten top departments of sociology in East Africa by 2025.

Debre Markos University Sociology Department

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