Course Description:

While providing a sociological grounding, the course surveys various features of the Somali society. The first part introduces to students basic concepts and discourses including culture, norms, values, social strata, social groups, identity, and tribalism as a source racism, prejudice and discrimination. The course will emphasize social transformation of the Somali society. In addition, through readings from various Somali and non-Somali scholars in all of the schools of thoughts, students will develop good understanding of the evolution of the Somali society and culture.

Potential Texts

• J. J. Macionis & Ken Plummer: Sociology: A Global Introduction, 4th ed., London/New York: Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2008.
• I. M. Lewis, Understanding Somalia
• Said Samatar and David Laitin. Nation in Search of State.
• Ali Jimale Ahmed. Invention of Somalia.
• Abdi Kusow. Putting the Cart Before the Horse.
• Afyare Elmi. Understanding the Somalia conflagration.
• Ahmed Samatar. Governance
• Petter Little. Economy without state.
• Bildhaan Journal
• Horn of Africa Journal

Prerequisites

None

Credits

3.0

Times Offered

• September
• February
• June (Summer)