January-March - Volume 12, Number 1 (2024)
EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY: TRACING THE ROOTS OF SOCIO-CULTURAL CHANGE
Ngozi Chioma Onyejekwe, Chinedu Emeka Okoro
The study of societies and their cultures is inherently intertwined with the examination of change, particularly socio-cultural change, which has been a central focus of sociology since its inception as an academic discipline. This enduring interest in understanding the processes of change is exemplified by the work of sociologists such as Herbert Spencer, a foundational figure in the field. Spencer argued that sociology can only attain the status of a science by embracing the concept of natural evolutionary law, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the dynamic nature of social structures and institutions. This paper delves into the significance of studying...
ETHNOLOGICAL ENCOUNTERS WITH "MADNESS": EXPLORING ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVES
Marie-Claire Leclercq-Dupont, Pierre-Louis Moreau-Dupont
The evolution of ethnological fieldwork methodologies reflects a dynamic interplay between shifting conceptual frameworks and practical engagements with diverse social contexts. Over time, ethnographers have navigated varying approaches to fieldwork, as evidenced by ethnographic accounts and anthropological literature. Initially, the emphasis on the ethnologist's terrain, a hallmark of the discipline, recedes as encounters with the "other" foreground the significance of difference, rationalizing the need for investigation. With the decolonization of colonies and the repatriation of ethnologists, attention pivots towards scrutinizing the nature of interactions forged between the ethnographer and the studied social agents, thereby elevating this relational aspect as a...
WEAVING TRADITION AND MODERNITY: ASO-OKE USAGE AMONG YOUTH IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
Fatima Adeola Adeleke, Babatunde Ogunleye Olusegun
The pursuit of development remains a paramount concern for nations worldwide, with Nigeria grappling to address pressing developmental challenges amidst its vast material, cultural, and human resources. Despite its potential, Nigeria's development indicators paint a sobering picture, with poverty levels exceeding 70%, a stark contrast to its abundance of resources. Various initiatives, both domestic and international, have been implemented in a bid to spur development within the country. Domestically, efforts such as the Seven Point Agenda under the Umar Yar Adua administration, the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), and the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) have been initiated...