Sociological Context Research Articles

Singing Techniques and Teaching Methods of Singer Liao Changyong in Chinese Opera Vocal Performance in a Sociological Context

Background and Aims: Grounded in the rich tradition of Chinese opera, the study aims to investigate the singing techniques and teaching methods of Singer Liao Changyong in Chinese Opera Vocal Performance in a Sociological Context. Materials and Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative analysis, interviews, and sociocultural analysis, the research investigates how Singer Liao Changyong navigates the dynamic landscape of Chinese opera vocal performance, particularly in terms of technical proficiency, emotional expression, and cultural resonance, integration of Bel canto singing traditions with Chinese opera. Results: Through a comprehensive examination of Liao Changyong's journey from rural roots to international acclaim, the study uncovers valuable insights into the sociological dimensions of opera reflecting human experiences and societal dynamics. The findings contribute to theoretical discourse in music education, performance studies, and sociological studies on music and culture, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation, innovation, and cross-cultural dialogue in the realm of vocal performance. Conclusion: The study explores the intricate relationship between individual artistry and sociocultural influences in Chinese opera vocal performance, emphasizing the importance of incorporating cultural nuances, emotional expression, and technical mastery in vocal education and performance, offering practical guidance for educators and performers.

Leadership and Multicultural Environment

A pesantren is a non-formal educational institution with its own distinctiveness in the sociological and historical context of Indonesia. From the beginning, pesantren were established based on the leadership of a religious figure, supported and trusted by the local community. This research aims to explore and analyze how power and authority contests take place within the pesantren, particularly in the context of leadership at Pondok Pesantren Bustanul Makmur Genteng, led by KH. Muwafiq Amir. The study focuses on three main aspects: the paradigm of power and authority, the perspective of personal virtues, and the multicultural environment that shapes multicultural leadership in the pesantren. This research also seeks to redefine and revise the implementation of existing leadership theories by developing a theoretical framework different from previous studies. The research employs a literature review analysis method. Data collection is conducted through a systematic search of scholarly literature, including articles, journals, and documents that significantly discuss the theme of this study. The leadership of KH. Muwafiq Amir at Pondok Pesantren Bustanul Makmur, Genteng, Banyuwangi, highlights an intelligent adaptation to the local socio-cultural context and multicultural challenges in an urban environment. Although he is not a direct descendant of the pesantren's founder, KH. Muwafiq plays a key role in managing the pesantren through collaborative strategies involving the development of educational units that are strategic and relevant to the community's needs. He has also successfully integrated high spiritual values with the demands of modernity, realized in a competitive formal educational institution. This success demonstrates that KH. Muwafiq possesses spiritual maturity and innovative leadership capable of maintaining the relevance and sustainability of the pesantren in the face of rapid social change dynamics.

Legal Foundations of State Policy on Self-Defense Weapons: In Quest of a Balance between Public and Private Interests

The debate on the right of citizens to carry short-barreled weapons, including firearms of limited destruction, has been going on for more than 30 years. The essence of these debates goes far beyond the limits of administrative law, since it is not limited only by the administrative law mechanism for implementing the procedure for acquiring, carrying and using weapons, acting as part of the public legal mechanism for ensuring personal security, security of the society and the State. The relevance of the issues of civilian arms trafficking is aggravated by the complication of the criminal situation during periods of social or economic upheavals that determine the choice of the trajectory of development of state policy for arms trafficking as an area of public law relations. The arguments of supporters and opponents of the use of firearms for self-defense are usually accompanied by arguments based on faith and beliefs rather than on facts and measurements. The purpose of the study is to summarize the legal and empirical resources characterizing administrative law foundations of state policy in relation to lethal and non-lethal self-defense weapons; to assess domestic legislative decisions and determine the directions for further administrative law development of state policy regarding arms trafficking, the expediency of using short-barreled weapons, including firearms of limited destruction, as selfdefense weapons. The interdisciplinary approach made it possible to combine the results of legal and other humanitarian studies. In particular, the achievements of branches of legal sciences of Russian law are brought together: administrative law, theory and history of law, criminology and criminal studies, sociology of law. In conclusion, the paper provides the results of a theoretical study with due regard to the historical, delictological and sociological context of the problem. The author substantiates the necessity of changing the legal foundations of state policy in the field of trafficking in self-defense weapons and gives appropriate proposals.

A Sociology of Plasma Proteins - A Technocrat's Perspective.

This commentary addresses the article "Toward a Sociology of Plasma Products" by Holloway and Grundy in this issue of the International Journal of Social Determinants of Health and Health Services. The program of research proposed by the authors positioning the medico-industrial field of plasma products within a sociological context is supported, this being an endeavor which has not been attempted previously. I seek to augment Holloway and Grundy's proposed approach through some additional insights which are the result of over forty years of personal commitment in the field. Holloway and Grundy's proposed areas of engagement involving the products, the recipients, the donors and the governance of the systems binding these together is widened through an examination of additional technological factors that have shaped the field. These factors include the influence of the medical industry, the role of patient groups, the continuing controversy on the sourcing of plasma raw material, and the roles of different governance models. Converging these factors with Holloway and Grundy's proposed program should enhance its capacity to develop a framework for understanding the dynamics within this complex and unique sector. The concepts developed in both articles will assist stakeholders to develop a societal framework for the provision of these essential medicines.

Modernity of Women Subject in Eka Kurniawan’ Cantik Itu Luka (2002): A Study of Post-Colonial Feminist Literary Criticism

This study aims to dismantle the narrative of the female subject’s modernity which was built by the author as a representative of a social group or class. In order to achieve this objective, the researchers used qualitative approach, which prioritizes data quality to data size. The data in this study is the novel Cantik Itu Luka by Eka Kurniawan, and other information related to the research topic. Then, the data were analyzed using binary opposition deconstruction and postcolonial feminism theory. Data analysis focuses on the narrative structure of the text and its ideas regarding colonial discourse and the narrative construction of the modernity of female subjects, as well as the author's historical and sociological context in relation to the text. The results show that the construction of the female subject presented in the text Cantik Itu Luka (2002) is a woman who is resistant to the discourse of modernity. In the context of colonial discourse, the female subject is a woman who participates in the rebellion against patriarchal cultural oppression and globalization. The discourse of modernity built by Eka Kurniawan is that women are required to maintain their national identity amidst the commotion of global culture. The construction of the female subject in the text is an ideal formed by male critical intellectual groups to represent and advocate women who have difficulty getting space and position in the social order.

Ethnomethodological Evaluation of the COVID-19 Process

The sudden change in the existing order due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused chaos and confusion. The uncertainty and anxiety caused by chaos and confusion necessitated the reconstruction of the social order in accordance with the pandemic conditions. Therefore, we should consider the sudden change of the social order and its reconstruction when evaluating the COVID pandemic in a sociological context. Since these two processes are ethnomethodologically significant, the aim of the study is to interpret the social changes that occurred during the COVID-19 process within the framework of ethnomethodology theory. Various examples provide an ethnomethodological evaluation of Türkiye’s reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent re-establishment of social order. This article analyzes, using ethnomethodology concepts, the irrational reactions of people in a life without rules due to the sudden disruption of the existing order by COVID-19, the helplessness of social institutions in the face of the pandemic, and the reconstruction of social order with rational rules to lessen anxiety and chaos.

The Domains of Aesthetics and Perception Theories: A Review Relevant to Practice-based Doctoral Theses in the Visual Arts

Abstract Every doctoral thesis requires contextualization within its specific discipline's theoretical bases. For a visual arts practice-based thesis, the relevant bases include those of aesthetics and visual perception. This article reviews a Western history of the domain of visual aesthetic theory, addressing both the analytical philosophical efforts to define art and the continental approaches, which construe art as social construction. It then reviews a third, normative stance that foregrounds cognitive value before definition or sociological context—an aesthetic cognitivist position, art practice as a means of acquiring and sharing experiential knowledge and understanding. Contemporary concerns about environmental aesthetics and somaesthetics are also addressed in the Introduction. Aesthetic theories are related to visual perception theories as an aid to fulfilling the scholarly requirements for a practice-based thesis.

Сучасні підходи до організації партнерської взаємодії між учнями початкової школи

The article touches upon the problem of organization of partnership between modern primary school students as representatives of the Alpha generation. Scientific works on the outlined problem are analyzed: the essence of the concept of «partner interaction» in the philosophical, psychological, sociological and pedagogical contexts; Guidelines for distinguishing between models of partnership and traditional interaction at school are indicated. Particular attention is paid to the problem of developing students' emotional and social intelligence as important factors of effective partnership. It has been researched that the enrichment of emotional competence of schoolchildren contributes to the awareness and regulation of emotional states and behavior, the development of a sense of empathy and understanding of the world of other people, the formation of communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicts, the reduction of aggressiveness and antisocial behavior. And also, that the school class is an important formal group where the child's socialization takes place through relationships with classmates, emotionally rich and activity-mediated contacts and connections. To organize partnerships, it is necessary to select the most effective means, not forgetting that mutual understanding, mutual assistance, interdependence and complementarity are important in the student-student relationship. It is indicated that during the lessons it is advisable for the teacher to use role-playing games and special tasks that will contribute to mastering the techniques of interpersonal communication. Students gain experience of interaction in variable micro-groups and teams in the classroom, learn to recognize the contribution of others to joint work, the ability to adequately assess their abilities and capabilities, their contribution to joint activities related to the search for new information, the creation of research projects. Modern approaches and conditions for the organization of partnership interaction are outlined, specific examples are given.

Images of Exclusion in Shinsei Kamattechan’s Work: Bullying, Hikikomori, Unemployment, Mental Illness, Gender Non-conformity in Contemporary Japan

In this article, the author focuses on the contemporary Japanese music band, Shinsei Kamattechan 神聖かまってちゃん. The band’s songwriter, who goes by the artistic pseudonym of “Noko” (の子), seems to base their (they are non-binary) oeuvre on their own experiences of being bullied and excluded, as well as that of suffering from mental illness, suicidal thoughts, and unemployment. These experiences found in Kamattechan’s work can be called “images of exclusion”. The aim of this paper is to present the aforementioned images of exclusion in a broader sociological context. To do that, the article analyses the band’s songs in a broader perspective based on the academic literature on the topic of Heisei Japan (1989–2019). The paper concludes by providing evidence that his family’s origin was as a Heisei era hi-shimin (非市民; people excluded from the norm) from the start, with Noko’s father being part of the “working poor”. Various social problems of Heisei-era Japan (for example bullying or hikikomori 引きこもり) are clearly reflected in Noko’s biography and closely intertwined with their art.

Revisiting the Concept of Peace: A Sociological Perspective

In the ever-changing global context, understanding peace has become a primary focus across various disciplines, including sociology. The sociological paradigm offers a rich and relevant perspective in understanding the dynamics of conflict, reconciliation, and post-conflict development. However, there is still a need for deeper exploration of the concept of peace within the sociological context. This research aims to investigate the evolution of the concept of peace from a sociological perspective, ranging from classical to contemporary thoughts, and to explore the implications of the sociological paradigm in peace practices and policies. This study utilizes a literature review approach to gather and analyze prominent works in sociology relevant to the concept of peace. The analysis is conducted on the views of leading sociological thinkers and relevant research findings. The findings from this literature review indicate that the sociological paradigm provides profound insights into the evolution of the concept of peace, from classical thinkers such as Durkheim, Weber, and Marx, to contemporary approaches such as critical theory and feminism. The practical implications of the sociological paradigm in conflict resolution, reconciliation, and post-conflict development are also explored. This research underscores the importance of the sociological paradigm in understanding and resolving conflicts and post-conflict development. By considering the complexity of social, political, and cultural dynamics and applying a holistic and contextual approach in designing peace strategies, sociology can make a valuable contribution to promoting sustainable and inclusive peace.

An ecologically sound and participatory monitoring network for pan-Arctic seabirds.

In a warming Arctic, circumpolar long-term monitoring programs are key to advancing ecological knowledge and informing environmental policies. Calls for better involvement of Arctic peoples in all stages of the monitoring process are widespread, although such transformation of Arctic science is still in its infancy. Seabirds stand out as ecological sentinels of environmental changes, and priority has been given to implement the Circumpolar Seabird Monitoring Plan (CSMP). We assessed the representativeness of a pan-Arctic seabird monitoring network focused on the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) by comparing the distribution of environmental variables for all known versus monitored colonies. We found that with respect to its spatiotemporal coverage, this monitoring network does not fully embrace current and future environmental gradients. To improve the current scheme, we designed a method to identify colonies whose inclusion in the monitoring network will improve its ecological representativeness, limit logistical constraints, and improve involvement of Arctic peoples. We thereby highlight that inclusion of study sites in the Bering Sea, Siberia, western Russia, northern Norway, and southeastern Greenland could improve the current monitoring network and that their proximity to local populations might allow increased involvement of local communities. Our framework can be applied to improve existing monitoring networks in other ecoregions and sociological contexts.

Analyzing the Offense of Juvinile Khalwat in Aceh: Evaluation of Qanun Number 14 of 2003 from an Islamic Legal Perspective

Aceh presents an intriguing area of study for numerous researchers in legal domains, owing to its distinct legal system in contrast to other regions in Indonesia. This legal jurisdictional authority underscores the intricacies involved in delineating the jurisdictional boundaries within the overarching framework provided by the national regulations. This is evident in cases of khalwat, an offense where a man and a woman date in seclusion. This study delves into an examination of the offense of juvenile khalwat in Aceh, as stipulated in Qanun Number 14 of 2003, employing Islamic legal theory within a sociological context. The findings of this study suggest that the juvenile occurrence of khalwat in Aceh stems from a combination of factors. These include the enduring influence of religious teachings, the prevalence of casual relationships among adolescents coupled with insufficient parental supervision, and the impact of modern social structures on youthful behavior. As a result, they engage in the offense of khalwat in public spaces, disregarding societal moral norms and public decorum. This Qanun fails to explicitly delineate the parameters for imposing penalties such as ‘uqubat (corporal punishment), flogging, and fines. Consequently, it leads to legal disparities in enforcement by the Wilayatul Hisbah, particularly when the offender is a minor or immature individual.

Lead poisoning of raptors: state of the science and cross-discipline mitigation options for a global problem.

Lead poisoning is an important global conservation problem for many species of wildlife, especially raptors. Despite the increasing number of individual studies and regional reviews of lead poisoning of raptors, it has been over a decade since this information has been compiled into a comprehensive global review. Here, we summarize the state of knowledge of lead poisoning of raptors, we review developments in manufacturing of non-lead ammunition, the use of which can reduce the most pervasive source of lead these birds encounter, and we compile data on voluntary and regulatory mitigation options and their associated sociological context. We support our literature review with case studies of mitigation actions, largely provided by the conservation practitioners who study or manage these efforts. Our review illustrates the growing awareness and understanding of lead exposure of raptors, and it shows that the science underpinning this understanding has expanded considerably in recent years. We also show that the political and social appetite for managing lead ammunition appears to vary substantially across administrative regions, countries, and continents. Improved understanding of the drivers of this variation could support more effective mitigation of lead exposure of wildlife. This review also shows that mitigation strategies are likely to be most effective when they are outcome driven, consider behavioural theory, local cultures, and environmental conditions, effectively monitor participation, compliance, and levels of raptor exposure, and support both environmental and human health.

Enforcement of the Law in the Sociological Domain

The purpose of this study is to examine how law enforcement is applied in Indonesia's sociological context. The results of the investigation indicate that community involvement is necessary for the application of law enforcement in the sociological sphere. It is believed that the community's participation and involvement in law enforcement can be used as a controlling factor when making decisions about the appropriateness of punishment for lawbreakers. The community can play a major role in reducing the number of legal infractions and deviations from unlawful acts that have become sociological phenomena by actively participating in the monitoring, supervision, and evaluation of the law enforcement practices in this nation.

The Impact of Culture on the Education System

The whole, consisting of interconnected and interacting parts that come together for a purpose, is called a system. Every system has subsystems, vitally connected to each other and interacting. However, each of them forms a whole within itself. Generally, entities in nature are grouped into three main categories: natural systems, mechanical systems, and social systems. Institutions established by people form the social system and together with culture, they form the social structure. Educational institutions, one of the basic institutions of society, are in relationship with both the material and spiritual elements of culture, just like other institutions. In this context, education and culture appear as two separate concepts that are interdependent and mutually affecting each other. In our age where social and cultural changes are experienced, the relationship between culture and education holds an important place. One of the significant factors affecting the education systems of societies is their culture. Education is also what enables the transfer of cultures to future generations. Culture is influential at every level of education and education serves as a significant tool for the transmission of culture. Therefore, it is important to consider cultural factors for understanding and developing the Turkish Education System. The study focuses on examining and discussing the relationship between education and culture in a sociological context. The primary method of the study is literature review. The relationship between education and culture, the influence of education on societies, the education systems of societies with different cultures and histories and multiculturalism are discussed to form a whole. Today, the Turkish education system continues to be shaped by the influence of culture. Examples illustrating how culture has shaped the Turkish Education System are provided within the study, discussing the impact of culture on the education system and concluding that the Turkish Education System is influenced by the cultural activities of the past of society.

Ukrainian Sociological Institute: Factional Politics, Research, and Intelligence Services in the Development of Ukrainian Sociology

In the history of Ukrainian sociology, it is considered that there were two organizations with the name "Ukrainian Sociological Institute". This article argues that they should be seen as two stages of one process — the academic and disciplinary institutionalization of Ukrainian sociology, which took place amid an (un)favorable and contradictory political struggle among Ukrainian revolutionary socialists (“esers”). This study attempts to characterize the context of this struggle and its significance for the institutional development of Ukrainian sociology in the first third of the 20th century. Ukrainian “esers” played a key role in endorsing the idea of establishing a professional sociological institution. The notion that the history of the two institutes should be considered separately emerged due to the competition between two opposing “eser” factions, one rallying around Mykhailo Hrushevsky and the other around Mykyta Shapoval. The article also provides an analysis-based overview of the institute's activities, considering the international context of contemporary sociology's development, using archival documents and sources of that time. Despite not always favorable conditions, the Ukrainian Sociological Institute (USI) spurred the emergence of new research directions and established a meaningful dialogue with the global sociological community. While much of the work of the USI has become part of the history of social and behavioral sciences, the author formulates three theses that, in his opinion, attest to the potential value of studying the USI's activities for modern Ukrainian sociology: rediscovering potential classics and seeking theoretical insights, decolonization/decommunization of Ukrainian sociology, and the first example in the history of Ukrainian sociology of a "strong program" through dialogue with civil society. It is argued that the USI was able to work quite effectively, primarily by skillfully integrating its activities into the network of civic initiatives and communities of Ukrainians on several continents, thereby testing sustainable practices that remain relevant today.

Managing stigma together: Relationality in the wound clinic

Our paper contributes to studies of stigma and dirty work by asking ‘how can workers and clients of dirty work manage stigma together?’ With the purpose of appreciating the worker/client relational dynamics in an organisation characterised by stigma, we conducted an ethnography in a wound healing clinic where clinicians do the dirty work of caring for patients with socially stigmatising wounds. To guide and subsequently interpret our ethnographic observations, we developed an original theoretical framework informed both by realist social theory and by extant studies of how people cope with dirty work through techniques of refocusing, reformulating and recalibrating stigma. Our findings point at three types of patient-clinician relationships: of familiality, scripted compliance and obstruction. For each type of relationship, we trace the conditions of possibility (theorised as a relational configuration) and the plausible effects (theorised as relational goods and evils) on patients’ and clinicians’ capacity to cope with stigma together. Overall, we find that the types of relations threaded by workers and clients over time can be a powerful resource (or obstacle) for managing stigma together. Our paper points to future avenues for research on the materiality of social relations and on the significance of the broader sociological context in which specific relationships are threaded between relational subjects.

Exploring the Intersection of Religion and Culture: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Cokaiba Tradition among the Fagogoru Community in Central Halmahera Regency

In sociological contexts, the interaction between culture and religious content naturally reflects the dynamic nature of social phenomena, arising from the harmonization of societal norms and religious principles. The Cokaiba tradition exemplifies this intersection, blending cultural heritage with Islamic commemoration. This study utilizes a phenomenological approach to explore the significance of the Cokaiba tradition within Halmahera society in North Maluku, aiming to elucidate broader perspectives on the interplay between culture and religion. Through qualitative research rooted in phenomenology, this study investigates the dynamics of the Cokaiba tradition within the Fagogoru Community in Central Halmahera, North Maluku. Data collection involves immersive engagement with key informants, including religious figures, community leaders, practitioners of the tradition, and local residents, through interviews, observations, and documentation. Findings reveal the emergence of Cokaiba as a fusion of cultural heritage and Islamic celebration, embodying principles of monotheism and serving as a means to propagate Islam within the region. Despite diverse interpretations, the convergence of religion and culture within Cokaiba fosters harmonious coexistence, facilitating the integration of religious values with cherished cultural practices. However, limitations include the challenge of fully capturing individual experiences and perceptions with a phenomenological approach and the potential lack of generalizability due to the study's focus on the Fagogoru Community. Future research incorporating a broader range of perspectives and cultural contexts would enhance understanding of the intricate dynamics between religion and culture manifested in traditions like Cokaiba.

Psychoanalysis-More Than a Profession: Presidential Address, American Psychoanalytic Association, New York, February 3, 2023.

This plenary address was delivered just before learning the successful outcome of a bylaw amendment extending full American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA) membership to psychoanalytic psychotherapists, researchers, scholars, and all who share a commitment to psychoanalysis. This historic change culminated efforts over the previous four decades to rectify exclusionary harms and revitalize psychoanalysis in the United States as a clinical practice and a cultural force. Membership expansion is discussed in the historical and sociological context of psychoanalysis as a profession with a focus on organizational resistance to change. Professionalization established and legitimized psychoanalysis but also contained the seeds of gradual decline as monopoly over training and practice distanced APsA from the wider psychoanalytic community. Expanding membership beyond the profession is a step toward uniting the community and strengthening all applications of psychoanalysis, including the traditional form. These developments at APsA reflect changes in other disciplines that feature inclusion, generosity, situated learning, and distributed subjectivity in epistemic communities of practice.

In Altum—“Put Out into the Deep”: A Formation Program for Missionary Discipleship for Students at the University of Notre Dame Australia

While there is a significant body of research concerning Catholic faith formation in a variety of educational contexts around the world, relatively little attention has been devoted to the notion of missionary discipleship as a foundation for Catholic formation. Recently, the National Catholic Education Commission, in its document Leading Formation for Mission, also elaborates a solid definition of formation and stated: ‘Formation is imaginative, creative and honours adult learning principles […] It engages the ‘intellect’ and is nurtured by appropriate theological content and it engages the ‘Spirit’ and is characterised by contemplation and action for mission’ (2022). This paper seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of formation for missionary discipleship by presenting an evaluation of the efficacy of In Altum, a student-focussed ministry and leadership program developed at the University of Notre Dame Australia in response to the developing magisterial teaching concerning the notion of ‘missionary discipleship’. In particular, we examine participants’ personal faith development, understanding of missionary discipleship on campus, preparation for future ministry, and understanding of contemporary challenges to discipleship. The study progresses in three parts: First, it provides a brief background to In Altum, including the philosophical and sociological context, as well as the key theological principles underpinning the formation offered within the program. Second, following an overview of the mixed-methodology approach taken in the study, which details both the use of qualitative and quantitative data derived from focus groups and an online survey, the paper presents the results of the study, which sought to investigate the efficacy of the program as it pertained to the following: (a) the building of (personal subjective assessment of) faith in participants; (b) the building of participants’ understanding of, and confidence in, the task of evangelisation as missionary discipleship in a secularised context; (c) building a strengthened sense of community amongst the participants. In the third and final section, the reported strengths and weaknesses of the program are examined. The paper also comments on implications for the program on the culture of the university more broadly, including precepts of the program’s findings that may be applied in light of the Australian Catholic Plenary Council’s findings to enhance the future directions of formation programs in the Catholic University Chaplaincy, with possible application to Catholic secondary schools and parish youth groups.