Department Of Sociology Research Articles

History of the Foundation and Development of the Faculty of Sociology at Russian State University for the Humanities (Dedicated to the Anniversary of Zhan T. Toshchenko)

The article is devoted to the 90th anniversary of the Corresponding Member of the RAS, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor ZhanT.Toshchenko. The authors highlight his efforts for the creation and development of the Faculty of Sociology at Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH). Historically, the process of forming the Faculty included both the foundation of the university-wide Department of Sociology and the work of the Division of Sociology as part of the Faculty of Philosophy. To date, the Faculty of Sociology has the following departments: Department of Theory and History of Sociology (profile “Digital Sociology and Social Diagnostics” for undergraduate students and “Digital Sociology and Social Analytics” for master’s students), Department of Applied Sociology (profile “Sociology of Marketing” for undergraduate students), Department of Political Sociology and Social Technologies (profile “Social, Political and Management Technologies” for undergraduate students). Graduates of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs can improve their qualifications within the framework of postgraduate studies in order to defend their candidate’s theses in sociology in the Dissertation Council 24.2.366.04. In terms of continuing their professional development, there is an opportunity to defend a doctoral dissertation or join the ranks of the faculty. RSUH has developed its own model of sociological education. This allows to prepare a universal professional sociologist capable of not only independent judgments and critical thinking, but also of “mastering the craft” of organizing and conducting sociological research. Graduates of the Faculty are successfully employed both in research institutes and in sociological centers that are engaged in applied work. The article shows the process of formation of ZhanT.Toshchenko’s school of thought and reveals the peculiarities of the organization of professional educational and academic activities at the Faculty. The concept of the Faculty of Sociology is based on the paradigm of the sociology of life developed by ZhanT.Toshchenko. It includes a combination of theory and empiricism in teaching disciplines, as well as taking into account the real needs of the labor market; a special personnel selection to hire employees who have a knack for both research and educational work. The success in the development of the Faculty of Sociology at RSUH is a worthy result of the long-term fruitful activities of ZhanT.Toshchenko and the research and educational team that he have built up among like-minded people.

Entrevue avec Robert Sévigny

In Quebec, an important figure in the development of a clinical approach in sociology and the human sciences is undoubtedly Robert Sévigny, professor emeritus in the department of Sociology at the University of Montreal. Four specific phases of his journey are thus addressed. A first period is that of his training and his professional experiences which go from 1951 to the end of the 1970s. Another phase follows, from the 80s to the beginning of the 2000s, marked more particularly by his research and intervention work. exploring 'implicit' sociology among practitioners and researchers. A third period is that of the development of the clinical approach in sociology, both in Quebec and in international networks. This involves reference to different theoretical currents and varied practices depending on the countries concerned. Finally, by examining the major social transformations that we are experiencing in our Western societies and in the world, a critical reflection is necessary on the current and future development of a clinical approach in sociology, and more broadly, in the human and social sciences.

К ВОПРОСУ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ: 30-ЛЕТНИЙ ОПЫТ КАФЕДРЫ СОЦИОЛОГИИ СПбГТИ(ТУ)

The article is devoted to the 30th anniver-sary of the Department of Sociology of the St. Petersburg State Institute of Technology (Technical University). The article presents an interview with Sergey Petrovich Yezhov, who for a long time was the head of the Department of Sociology, and before whose eyes the development and formation of the department took place. The article examines in a biographical context the is-sues related to the history of the formation of the Department of Sociology, as well as the activities of the department throughout this time.

Клиентоцентричность гражданской службы на региональном уровне: взгляд «изнутри»

The “State for people” client-centricity in the public administration system is considered in the article as the next logical stage of administrative reform in Russia. The authors primarily focus on investigating this phenomenon within the realm of civil service and the implementation of the “Internal Client” standard, which uniquely posi-tions the civil servant as the subject of study – an approach that is atypical in the context of both domestic and international bureaucratic systems. The article presents the results of a pilot sociological survey conducted among government officials and executive bodies of the Rostov region, centered on the aforementioned theme. The findings illustrate the current state of affairs regarding the implementation of the internal client standard and outline the prospects for its further integration into civil service practices. This research is rooted in the scientific investigations conducted by the Department of Sociology at the South Russian Institute of Man-agement-Branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, align-ing conceptually and methodologically with the academic tradition of the sociology of public service. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of client-centricity in civil administration and offers insights into the experiences and perceptions of civil servants in relation to internal client standards, thus paving the way for future developments in this field.

CrimRxiv Consortium joined by University of Liverpool, Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology

CrimRxiv Consortium joined by University of Liverpool, Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology

Sociology of professions – situation and prospects (round table)

The «round table» discussed the problems of sociology of professions and the prospects for a relatively new section in the journal «Sociological Studies» in the year of the anniversary of the journal. The discussion focuses on the analysis of the subject and object of this discipline, its theoretical and methodological foundations, issues of modern problems of the discipline, the most promising research areas, the specifics of its existence in Russian sociology. The most significant aspects of the sociology of professions subject area are related to the professional activity, the interaction of professionals and professional communities with the state, society, and the market. Attention is paid to the analysis of the discipline origins, the adaptation of its conceptual and methodological approaches: developments in the national sociology of labour, employment and management, studies of the intelligentsia, approaches of sociology, anthropology, ethnography of professions, and other disciplines played an important role. Contradictions in the development of sociology of professions theoretical and methodological explanatory models, as well as research directions, are also shown. It is noted that despite the long-term crisis of the discipline, its potential in the study of modern processes in the field of labor and employment, social policy, and the formation of professional communities is still high. Participants: Roman N. ABRAMOV, Dr. Sci. (Sociol.), Prof. of Sociology Department, Leading Researcher of the International Laboratory for Social Integration Research, HSE University; Leading Researcher Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS, Moscow (rabramov@hse.ru, socioportal@yandex.ru); Elena R. IARSKAIA-SMIRNOVA, Dr. Sci. (Sociol.), Рrof., Head of International Laboratory of Social Integration Research, HSE University, Moscow (elena.iarskaia@gmail.com; eiarskaia@hse.ru); Valeriy A.MANSUROV, Dr. Sci. (Sociol.), Prof., Chief Researcher, Head of the Sector of Sociology of Professions and Professional Groups, Institute of Sociology of FСТAS, Moscow (mansurov@isras.ru); Aleksandra A. MOSKOVSKAYA, Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Director, Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Studies, HSE University, Moscow (amoskovskaya@hse.ru); Irina P. POPOVA, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Leading Researcher, Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS, Moscow (irina_popova@list.ru); Natalya N. STARTSEVA, Cand. Sci. (Soc.), Assoc. Prof., Ural State University of Railway Transport, Yekaterinburg (NStarceva@usurt.ru); Olesya V. YURCHENKO, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), PhD, Senior Researcher of the Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS, Moscow (olesya@mail.ru). All – Russia.

The Context of Achieving and Application of Education by Sociologist Rangalal Sen

Dr. Rangalal Sen (1933-2014) was known in the country and abroad as a professor. After completing his education from Dhaka University, he first joined the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) as a lecturer in 1964. In the next year, he moved to the Department of Sociology of Dhaka University in the same position. His career began in 1953 as a primary school teacher. Apart from teaching, he was actively associated with several socio-political organizations and learned societies, including: Dhaka University Teachers’ Association, Dhaka University Senate, Bangladesh College-University Teachers’ Association, Bangladesh Sociological Association, Expatriate Bangladesh Government, Bangladesh Itihas Parishad, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Asiatic Society, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Parishad, Sher-e-Bangla Smriti Parishad etc. Moreover, he became a syndicate member of many universities at many times on the nomination of the Chancellor. In June 2011 the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh awarded Rangalal Sen in the unique status of National Professor. This distinguished professor passed away on February 10, 2014. Even though Dr. Rangalal Sen passed away, some of his sociologically valuable works will survive him. By acquiring education, human qualities will be fully developed in a person, where there will be no violence and strife, mutual kindness will be displayed among people, the active presence of non-communal and democratic mind will be ensured, a rational social system with moral sense will be established – this was Rangalal Sen’s philosophy of education. Rangalal Sen was not only a Marxist sociologist or theorist but also a dedicated worker of socialism. According to his philosophy, the true meaning of life lies in making the human society more beautiful through honesty, justice, non-violence and altruism in personal life without limiting religious practice to worship and fasting. A good person but not good as a teacher, or a good teacher but not good as a person- these were completely unthinkable things for Rangalal Sen. His advice to everyone was to be a good person first. Enriched with real education, he has always kept one and the same ideal in his heart. Therefore, regardless of the party and opinion, only those who know him were and are always respectful to him. Rangalal Sen can be termed as a humanistic sociologist, egalitarian educationist and moralistic philanthropist considering the education achieved by him and its practical aspects. Rangalal Sen, who was blessed with good fortune, got close to such great persons in his life and cherished their ideals in such a way that his line of ideals never crossed., Dr. Sen’s personality formation can be well understood in the light of sociological judgement of education. This short article attempts to explore the institutionalization of Rangalal Sen and the catalysts behind it. For this purpose, Rangalal Sen’s educational life, career and application of education in it, influence of institutional and non-institutional education as a background for the formation of his ideal personality, reciprocity of ideals etc. are discussed.)

Uncovering the Erasure: The Case for Babasaheb Ambedkar as a Pioneer of Indian Sociology

In this article, I critically examine the invisibilisation of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the list of ‘founders’ or ‘pioneers’ of Indian sociology despite his substantial contributions to the discipline. After examining the existing literature, I contend that unlike global sociology, which often recognises founders based on their substantive contributions to the field, Indian sociology favours those with specific university affiliations and a direct engagement with the discipline. Consequently, influential sociological voices like Ambedkar’s are often excluded. The article poses a critical question: Why do Indian sociologists hesitate to teach about Ambedkar as a pioneer while readily recognising Marx, who lacked any direct connection to a sociology department, as a ‘founder’ of the field? Utilising critical mass theory, the article argues that small groups of scholars and teachers from marginalised communities can effectively challenge dominant academic groups and transform the discipline of sociology.

Sociological research in the field of family and demography: responding to the challenges of our time

The article analyzes the data of sociological research conducted by the Department of Sociology of Family and Demography of the Faculty of Sociology of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, whose employees adhere to the familistic paradigm. The data from these studies are used for social design and forecasting of family and demographic behavior of the bulk of the population, as well as to develop recommendations for improving family and demographic policy aimed at increasing the birth rate and overcoming the crisis of the family as a social institution. Analysis of these data showed that effective policies in the field of family and demography should be aimed not only at changing the attitude towards family life and the birth of children on the part of those people who are now in active reproductive age, but also at creating a positive attitude of adolescents and young people towards based on a strong legal marriage and a close connection between three generations of a family with three or more children. A social atmosphere that encourages the formation and maintenance of families of this type should be considered as a necessary condition for the prosperity of the country.

Migration experience and risky financial assets investments of county households: evidence from China

Enhancing the support for inclusive finance in county economies is crucial in achieving the strategic goal of building financial power. Drawing upon the theoretical lens of county-level inclusive financial accessibility, this study examines the effect of the migration experience (ME) of county socialites on their risky financial assets investment (FAI) and the underlying mechanisms. We utilize data sourced from the County Consumption Survey, a nationwide effort by the Department of Sociology of Tsinghua University and the 58 Tongzhen Research Group. Our findings reveal that the ME of county socialites significantly boosts their likelihood of engaging in financial markets. Furthermore, housing inequality factors, such as housing property rights and housing loans, play a moderating role in the impact of individual ME on their FAI. Additionally, the financial concept has a masking effect rather than a mediating effect on the path of the ME affecting FAI. Notably, the promotion effect of ME displays heterogeneity. Specifically, ME has a stronger positive effect on FAI among college-educated groups, members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and urban hukou residents than on those who have not completed college education, non-CPC members and rural hukou households. In light of these findings, we propose policy recommendations to optimize the distribution of financial services, adjust the housing equality policy, and enhance inclusive financial literacy.

Historical Development of Social Work and Social Welfare Services in Ethiopia

Social work in Ethiopia has been influenced by the ideology and political economy of governments in power. To explore the core problems social work and social welfare services have experienced, this research employed a systematic review of literature. Organised social welfare services in Ethiopia is a fairly recent phenomenon beginning with the establishment of the first school of social work in 1959. This school was closed in 1974 and then reopened in 2004. The field experienced other challenges too, including its informal merger with the Department of Sociology during the socialist regime. Since social work in Ethiopia is heavily influenced by the Western curriculum and its professional associations have little ability to professionalise the field, its contribution to improving social welfare services is unsatisfactory. Further, because there is no regulatory body, the associations pursue their commitments only sporadically. This has a negative effect on providing quality social welfare services. The future will be determined by the degree to which social work is professionalised.

The Methodology of Sociological Criticism in Iraq

In the period preceding the establishment of the first sociology department at the University of Baghdad, the works of Abdul Fattah Ibrahim and Abdul Jabbar Arim played a significant role. These scholars are regarded as pioneers of this pre-foundational phase. Although they did not conduct any field research, the methodologies they advocated for analysing and critiquing Iraqi social reality were well-defined. In Abdul Fattah Ibrahim's first specialised book on sociology, he presents Darwin's theory of evolution as "the foundational principle upon which modern sociology is based." He defines sociology as "the study of society in its evolution according to the law of the survival of the fittest, with the goal of enhancing its ability to endure."

Thomas Mathiesen in our view

We are two colleagues and friends of Thomas Mathiesen who have written about Thomas from two perspectives. Kristian Andenæs contributes with the inside perspective of a long-time colleague at the Institute for Sociology of Law and the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law. Knut Papendorf, as a colleague and former criminologist and activist in Germany, focuses on the potential provided by the abolitionist model, as advocated by Thomas Mathiesen.

Представления россиян о финансово грамотном поведении как показатель сформированной финансовой культуры

The paper substantiates the relationship between financial literacy, financial culture and financial behavior, the concept of a sociological study of financial culture. The authors cite a number of studies that, to varying de-grees, show the cultural characteristics formed in Russian society in terms of personal finance management. Attention is drawn to the behavioral characteristics of Russians in such components of financial behavior as savings, investment, including savings and investment, consumer, payment, and credit. The article presents the results of a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 60 Russians representing various socio-demographic groups, conducted from November 2022 to January 2023 by the educational and scientific socio-logical laboratory of the Department of Sociology of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

2024 RSS Presidential Address: Reconceptualizing Rurality and Nurturing Rural Sociological Souls☆

AbstractThis address focuses on the importance of inclusivity and diversity to the future of the Rural Sociological Society. It begins by sharing the author's experiences within the society as a rural‐focused scholar trained in a Sociology department without strong ties to the RSS, and the challenges she faced in earning recognition in the RSS. It goes on to explore the development of the RSS and the ways in which this history continues to shape who is and isn’t perceived as a rural sociologist. It then argues that the society should strive to be more inclusive in the ways it conceptualizes both rurality and rural sociology. This inclusivity should be extended to those who care about rural places and populations and treat them with respect, regardless of whether they were trained in historic departments of Rural Sociology. The Society should view multidisciplinarity as a benefit, not a detriment to its long‐term health and flourishing. The address ends by calling upon members to engage in the work of nurturing rural sociological souls wherever they are trained and working. It emphasizes the importance of a renewed commitment to diversity and inclusivity in multiple forms.

Становление современной российской социологии: интервью с профессором Владимиром Вячеславовичем Козловским

We had a conversation with Vladimir Kozlovskiy in April 2024, coinciding with the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Vladimir Kozlovskiy is a Doctor of Sciences (Philosophy), Professor, Director of the Sociological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Branch of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SI RAS – FCTAS RAS), Head of the Department of Sociology of Culture and Communication, Faculty of Sociology, Saint Petersburg State University, and Chief Co-Editor of the Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology. During the interview, the influence of culture and social processes on the development and institutionalization of Russian sociology was discussed. Vladimir Kozlovskiy is one of the leading experts in the field of the history of sociology and was awarded the II-class Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"; he is the Honoured Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation. His studies of civilizational development models of modern societies have made a great contribution to modern sociology. The relevance of research conducted under the leadership of Vladimir Kozlovskiy is especially high in the context of the modern development of Russian society.

Association of Gratitude with Academic Achievement of Students: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

This study investigates the relationships between gratitude, health, satisfaction with life, loneliness, and academic achievement among university students. A sample of 300 students from Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, comprising 100 students each from the Department of Applied Psychology and the Department of Sociology, participated in the study. The research explores how gratitude directly and indirectly influences academic achievement through its effects on health, satisfaction with life, and loneliness. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that gratitude positively impacts health and satisfaction with life, while reducing loneliness, which in turn enhances academic achievement. Health and satisfaction with life were found to be significant mediators, while loneliness negatively affected both satisfaction with life and academic performance. The results suggest that fostering gratitude and addressing loneliness can significantly improve students' well-being and academic outcomes. These findings have important implications for educational institutions aiming to promote mental health and academic success.

Market or State? Post-Reform Distribution of Sociology Faculty at Chinese Universities

Neoliberal policies since 1978 have caused severe regional inequality in China. Cities in regions with high levels of marketisation attract top academic experts due to their proximity to economic incentives and prestigious universities. However, little is known about how economic reform has shaped the distribution of experts in the social science and humanities disciplines as they are less in demand on the market and often rely on support from the state. Using sociology as a unique case, this study investigates market and state influences on the regional distribution of sociology experts in Chinese universities based on city-level measurements. Sociology has a unique historical and paradigmatic connection with the state of China, which complicates any straightforward relationship between neoliberal policies and higher education inequality in sociology departments. Through a manual collection of 1,041 faculty profiles from 66 university websites, it was determined following the fractional logistic regression method that both the market and the state facilitate distribution. The city’s marketisation increases the internationalisation of faculty members in sociology departments, while the city’s position in the state’s administrative hierarchy maintains the sociology departments, regardless of the city’s marketisation. In general, the state still plays an important role in shaping academic expert distribution after 40 years of market reform in China.

The relationship of migration behavior with marital status and the number of children in the family

Based on the analysis of the database of the 30th round of the Russian Monitoring of the Economic Situation and Health of the Population (Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – HSE) study in 2021, the relationship between marital status and the children number of men and women in reproductive age with their migration behavior is studied. Migrants are less likely to remain single and childless, but more likely to have three or more children than local natives. These differences are explained, so the author, by the fact that people who have independently changed their place of residence differ from people who live where they were born, more willing to face difficulties related both to living conditions adapting in a new place, and to creating, increasing and maintaining a family. The differences between migrants and natives are greater among men than women. In addition, data from a survey of both spouses in more than 1,200 families conducted by the Department of Family Sociology and Demography of the Faculty of Sociology of Lomonosov Moscow State University 2018–2019 study show that men whose parents had more than two children are much more likely to have three or more children themselves than women who grew up in the families of the same size. Therefore, demographic policy measures should be applied to increase the birth rate what can affect not only mothers, but fathers as well. It is necessary to take into account the data of sociological studies on the conditions necessary for the birth of children, according to both spouses, and not only women. Schools and other educational institutions should form an active life position among children, adolescents and young people, the ability to overcome difficulties, including those in family life necessary for the society to survive and develop.

Book Review: Assessing Social Science Research Ethics and Integrity: Case Studies and Essays

Published in Springer’s Clinical Sociology: Research and Practice series, Assessing Social Science Research Ethics and Integrity: Case Studies and Essays is the work of Harry Perlstadt, Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University’s Department of Sociology. This scholarly work is concerned with research ethics in the social sciences, focusing on the protection of human participants in social experiments. With two comprehensive essays and a meticulous analysis of six contentious experiments, Perlstadt embarks on a journey to elucidate the complex interplay between ethics and empirical inquiry.