Iranian Journal of Sociology
Year:2009 | Volume:9 | Issue:1-2|Papers Count:9

This study aims to explore the meaning reconstruction of modernization's consequences in ouramanat-e-Takht of Iranian Kurdistan. Interpretive approach was used as conceptual framework to explain the various aspects of inquiry. The interpretive approach presupposes that human actors consciously and reflexively react to their social environment based on their interpretation and evaluation in everyday life. In contrast to positivist approach in which the social reality is assumen to be fixed and preexisting, the interpretive approach defines social realities as flexible and free floating; also, it considers human beings as creatore and interpreters of their lives. Using interpretive approach, it has been tried to focus on modernization consequences in Ouramanat Region of Iranian Kurdistan. Ouraman-e-Takht is a rural, dry and highly mountainous region located in southwest of Kurdistan province of Iran. Traditionally, the socio-economic structure of the region was based on limited farming, herding, gardening, and manual labor. Recently, some modern elements, including of new economic activities, modern education, modern health services, technology, communication and transportation possibilities and so on, have been introduced to the region. The purpose of this study was to explore, from the Ouraman perspective, the impact that modernization consequences have had on the Ouraman traditional way of life. In this respect, the modernization consequences were classified into ten dimensions consisting of economy, social stratification, education, health, religion, technolobry, communication/transportation, language, kinship, and social interaction. Data were collected over a period of nine months using ethnographic methods including observation, interviwe, videotaping, and photography. Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory Methodology. 56 participants were interviewed and various sorts of data were gathered. Ten core category constructed along with its respective paradigm model for each aspect of the modernization consequences; these core categories were: subsistence Improvement, Emancipation, Enabling/Constraining, Enhancing life Expectancy, Surviving the principles, Welfaremaking/Challenging, Facilitation, Language Challenge, Nostalgia, and Weakening Network Finally, Reconstructing/ deconstructing were the core category constructed from data to explain the impact that modernization consequences has on the Ouramat region, The people of Ouraman perceived modernization consequences as bestowing the modern ways of life and growth of the region while simultaneously threatening cultural beliefs and the traditional way of life, The results are presented in a paradigm model consisting of conditions, interactions and consequences around the core category and can be used to understand the impact of change from the introduction of modern education can have on a traditional society.

This study is intended to provide theoretical and empirical analyses of happiness both at micro level and macro level. At micro level, a social survey was conducted in cities of Tehran, Yazd And Ardakan with sample size of 386. Oxford standard happiness inventory was employed as' the measurement scale of happiness at this level. At macro level a quantitative comparative analysis was conducted based on world value survey (4th wave) for 69 countries. Findings show that average score of happiness for all three cities is low. Besides that among sixty nine countries, the rank order of happiness for Iran is 61. Multiple variable analyses indicate that among different factors such as trust, friendship, family relationship, lack of social isolation at micro level and social capital ta macro level have direct impact on happiness.

Acquisition of the theological knowledge of religions is recommended along with other religious studies to sociologists of religion who are bound to safeguard their perceptions and manifestations from the apologetics damages. Up to now, the avoidance from theology has been the positivistic solution in order to be immunized from apologetics partiality. However, the solution this paper puts forward is the distinction and segregation of 'theology1' from' apologetics' at the first stance and then the description and limitation of the courses experiencing penetration of apologetics' notations in the studies of religion.With the required recommendation from theology, not only the weaknesses of sociology of religion will be removed so far as acquaintance with the subjects is concerned but it would also prevent from the unjust label of apologetics to sociologists who possess valuable theological Knowledge of religion during the course of their studies.

Some sociologists have pointed out how people use music and art display to show their social status. They all suggest cultural consumption and taste can be seen as symbolic communication and a means of establishing social relationships, networks and status groups. It has also been argued that the symbolic communication or status is much more important in modern times and urban environment, because of the frequency of superficial social contacts in these locations. This article, studies the relationship between social stratification and cultural (musical) consumption. We measure social stratification with class and status and cultural consumption with kind and frequency of consumption. To investigate the research assumptions, first, we have classified kinds of music to categories (elite/mass position) and second, we have gathered data through survey method among four districts of Tehran as the areas showing high and low class and status symbols. In addition to the survey method and the questionnaire, the library method was also used for determining some of the references concerning the relationship between social stratification and cultural consumption. The Findings show that relationship between social stratification and Cultural Consumption. The Findings show that relationship between social stratification and cultural (musical) consumption if a positive and significant relationship; status, rather than class, is correlative with kind and frequency of cultural (musical) consumption; people who belong to high status prefer consuming elite music and people who belong to low status prefer consuming mass music.

Films reflect the societies which they spring from. In fact, films reflect collective psychological tendencies of a society. By representing socio-economic and political institutions, films reveal propensities and moralities of their time. The research’s From work on which this article is based, was conducted by using semiotic approach and, also the Kracauer/Duvignaud's views on the relationship between society and cinema. The findings show that social institutions relating to socialization of youth are ill and inefficient. They can nat provide a suitable ground for the youth, and they are involved in such ill as hypocrisy and deception and finally they caused unpleasant behavior as abnormality and deviance in society.

The emergence of intellectual groups in Iran and its aftermath, the beginning of intellectual movement with the aim of modernization as its goal, is related to the threshold of Constitution. Intellectuals had an important historical role at the era of Constitution until the epoch of the first Pahlavi. They were pioneers of modernity and modernization in the country. The social and mind origin of those intellectuals and the concepts and issues they were involved are the basic subjects of historical sociology and one of the basic debate in the realm of Sociology of intellectuals in Iran. The identity of these intellectuals and the nature of their social and political thoughts, the issue that how they perform their social and historical roles, their social status and their relationships with people and state are the basic objects in this research. The methodology of research is analytical and critical approach by using Meta analysis and historical method this way we use Weberian approach in historical events and reconstruction them; also the views of other thinkers like Parsons, Gramsic, Mannheim and so on about the social roles of intellectuals have been used. The basic aim of this research is sociological explanation of social and political role of intellectuals in the Constitution era and the epoch of the firs Pahlavi period and search of response for this question that: "Why intellectuals protect their influentioal social and political situations. To answer this question, some assumptions have presented and been studies. The results of the research show that some Iranian intellectuals in the constitution era by adopting reductionism (to reduce modern concepts to traditional one) and some others by taking French Enlightenment pattern which was followed by violence strategy cause to disappear their influential social and political situations in society. Also the eroded structure of society and it's dominated traditional culture and destructive role of traditional culture's protectors and absolutely minority of educated strata and middle class were effective on degradation of intellectuals role at this historical epoch; and in addition, in the period of the first Pahlavi, the adapting of "imperative development" strategy as a progress strategy for Iran and political closure that Reza Shah had imposed to the society are two other important factors that cause to disappear the influential social and political of intellectuals in Iran.

The main question of this research is how individual candidates, political parties and groups and the elected persons concerned with the target groups in their campaigns in eighth parliament election in Tehran? A sample of campaign items of candidates and political parties and groups including 329 individual candidates and 44 parties and groups is studied. Content analysis as a qualitative research method is deflected for analyzing the data. The findings show the main concern of individual candidates and parties was with young people and women and in a low degree on poor, totally in eight target groups including children, women, young and elderly people, poor, religious and ethnic minorities, pensioners and disabled people. The campaigners showed less or no concern with pensioners, religious and ethnic minorities, and children, disabled and elderly people. The important finding is that the disabled and elderly people never mentioned in parties campaign. Large quantity of the women and youth groups voters and the possibility of attractiong their votes by comparison with other target groups, are the reasons of why candidates and parties have more concern with them.

In Iran, individual and social effects of social problems like poverty, unemployment, inequality, drug abuse and prostitution and their negative role on country's development are raising through the recent decade. This study attempts to reach a consensus among social experts on priorities of social problems of Iran through Delphi method in order to use its results in social policies and programs.This study was conducted in four rounds using a researcher-made Delphi questionnaire. Research participants were 41 social experts in Tehran who have written at least a paper on social problems and/or have had professional experience in this area.Results: According to the mean scores of social problems as the cutoff point in the study, the 10 priorities of social problems in this project were: Drug abuse, unemployment, social violence, distrust, poverty, corruption, discrimination, injustice, devaluation and rising of crimes. So, drug abuse, unemployment and social violence (violence that happens in the society) are the three first cases in the list of Iran's social problems. Results of this project could be used by related organizations in policymaking and programming their activities. Findings of other studies also confirm these results.