Jan K. Coetzee

Aspekte van die universiteitswese en van sosiologiebeoefening in 'n gesegmenteerde RSA / Aspects of the nature of the university and of the practice of sociology in a segmented RSA

The overall objective of both the nature of western universities and the way in which western sociology is practised is to make a contribution towards greater understanding of social reality, inter alia, and towards the realization of becoming fully human. The case of a university in a plural society, established and organized mainly exclusively for a particular population group, brings about implications with regard to the realization of the nature and character of the ideal typical university. It also has implications for the practise of sociology. In this article an analysis is made of the nature, essence and mission of the university. With this in mind, the general as well as the sociological consequences of the existence of particularistic universities are examined. S. Afr. J. Sociol. 1985, 16(1): 14–21

The role of universities in training for development

The first part of this article starts by discussing the central issue of what a university ought to be in the Southern African context. Included in the analysis is the conventional model for a university as well as the urge for relevance of the university and the issue of relevance in an intensely changing region. In the second part of the article the focus moves to the changing debate on the concept of development Development has increasingly been defined as striving towards creating opportunities for people to move towards increased humanity. In order to bring about development as defined in this way, the participation of the people, the recognition of social Justice, education in the broadest sense of the word, community development that can lead to social reconstruction, as well as the provision of a sphere for meaningful existence will have to be included in university training for development This article addresses aspects of such a humantsatlon of university training for development.

Botshabelo: The face of ‘orderly urbanisation’?∗

Botshabelo (also known as Onverwacht) is the largest relocation area in South Africa, but very little is known about it. Towards the middle of 1986 a multi‐purpose survey was conducted in this area, covering, among others, topics such as cooperative development, the informal sector, the roles of religion and of women in development. social services and the general experience of urbanisation. The main research findings centre on the politico‐ideological factors responsible for the establishment of Botshabelo, the consequences of the uncontrolled and uncontrollable urbanisation process, the absence of broad political and social solidarity and the specific forms of dependency facing Botshabelo. The majority of the population of Botshabelo find it difficult to cope with the demands of urban life. Various characteristics of a culture of poverty are present and there is a lack of integrated participation by a wide spectrum of participants in the area as a whole. The way in which Botshabelo came into being is by...

A microsociological foundation for development

Reflection on change and development appears very prominently in Western thought, especially as a reflection on the accompanying progress and prosperity. Numerous unacceptable generalisations can, however, be found and, with this in mind, an effort is made to propose elements of an alternative reflection and social change. This effort relies on a microfounding and implies that the phenomenon of development is inseparably attached to the experience of reality by individuals. An alternative approach amounts to an analysis of development as a process that necessarily has to filter through the individual constitution of meaning (acceptance, reinterpretation, articulation, adjustment or rejection).

Religie en sosiale geregtigheid in ’n gesegmenteerde samelewing

Religion and social justice in a segmented society. Although almost 80% of the total South African population adheres to one or another Christian denomination, it is not possible to speak of a homogeneous, shared conception regarding the role of religion. Instead one finds factions pursuing their own aims relatively autonomously. Their claims and ideals may differ due to the following: divergent orientations toward reality; own constitution of meaning regarding religion for their unique situation; different modes of expressing religious experience; problematic and controversial religious opinions; divergent approaches to ethical problems; and differing intentions or motivation. To this end the process of bestowing religious meaning on the one hand, and the ensuing social involvement on the other, are analysed in this article. Empirical data were gleaned .. during a multipurpose survey conducted by the HSRC which involved all South African population groups.

Aspekte van die universiteitswese en van sosiologiebeoefening in ’n gesegmenteerde RSA

Aspects of the nature of the university and of the practice of sociology in a segmented RSA. The overall objective of both the nature of western universities and the way in which western sociology is practised is to make a contribution towards greater understanding of social reality, inter alia, and towards the realization of becoming fully human. The case of a university in a plural society, established and organized mainly exclusively for a particular population group, brings about implications with regard to the realization of the nature and character of the ideal typical university. It also has implications for the practise of sociology. In this article an analysis is made of the nature, essence and mission of the university. With this in mind, the general as well as the sociological consequences of the existence of particularistic universities are examined. S. Afr. J, Sociol. 1985, 16(1): 14–21

South Africa’s transition in a broader context: Some initial notes

Abstract Although it appears to be a world-wide trend, it is impossible to identify a set of unique and identical conditions of democratization. On the one hand the transition of the South African society has to be situated within the context of growing globalization but, on the other hand, as many dimensions as possible of the empirical reality of South Africa’s unique situation have to be included. In this set of initial notes for analysis the following six aspects, constituting part of the empirical reality of South Africa’s transition, are included: mass democratic action; evolutionary regime transition; overcoming the heritage of state authoritarianism; state intervention in the economy; civil society; and ethnic issues (nationalism). Reference is made to some of the aspects essential to the process of democratization. These aspects include social rationality, restoring a work ethic, participation, realistic expectations, moving away from the militarized nature of the present society, and tolerance, ...

Religie en sosiale geregtigheid in 'n gesegmenteerde samelewing / Religion and social justice in a segmented society

Although almost 80% of the total South African population adheres to one or another Christian denomination, it is not possible to speak of a homogeneous, shared conception regarding the role of religion. Instead one finds factions pursuing their own aims relatively autonomously. Their claims and ideals may differ due to the following: divergent orientations toward reality; own constitution of meaning regarding religion for their unique situation; different modes of expressing religious experience; problematic and controversial religious opinions; divergent approaches to ethical problems; and differing intentions or motivation. To this end the process of bestowing religious meaning on the one hand, and the ensuing social involvement on the other, are analysed in this article. Empirical data were gleaned during a multipurpose survey conducted by the HSRC which involved all South African population groups. S. Afr. J. Sociol. 1986, 17(3): 108–113

Kerk, godsctiens en sosiale kritiek

Church, religion and social criticism. It is often assumed that in its essence, religious practice has no connection with the rational basis underlying social criticism. A climate has been created with regard to sociological and theological inputs which facilitate an increasing exchange of ideas centring around social criticism. Changes in the nature and meaning of religion and the church introduce heightened involvement in the active process of the constitution of meaning. This entails a growing correlation of church membership with the broad existential premise from which people construct their life-worlds. S. Afr. J. Social. 1984, 15(2): 71–80