Oda Bultum University
College of Social Science and Humanities
Department of Sociology
Course Name: Sociology of Ethiopian Societies (SOCI2041) 3Crhs/5 ECTS
Prerequisite: None
Instructor’s name Abdisa K. Phone no.:0918987761
Course description:
This course examines Ethiopian Society, its history, culture, Social structure and Social changes
from Sociological perspective. The course will introduce students to the various aspects of
Ethiopian Society. They will use Sociological perspectives to critically analyze such things as
Ethiopian identity, ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, national unity, regional differences,
foreign control, and international relations. Students will explore the structure of Ethiopian Society
including issues related to famine, underdevelopment, health care, education, economy and work,
Social inequalities, government, and Social policies, etc.
The course would offer a sociological overview of the major linguistic, ethnic and cultural groups
comprising present day Ethiopia. It would engage with the socio-cultural make up of these social
groups by looking at the respective family, economic, religious and political institutions of selected
ethno-cultural groups within Ethiopia. The course will also discuss the social processes of
integration and conflict as well as fusion and fission that occurred with the emergence of the
modern Ethiopian nation state. The construction of pan-Ethiopian values and institutions alongside
the nation’s experiment with modernization will also be discussed at length looking at the socio-
cultural and political ramifications of the project during the successive regimes. Similarities and
differences between the peoples of Ethiopia.
Learning outcomes:
After successful completion of this course, students shall be able to:
Describe Sociology of Ethiopia in terms of its nature, subject matter, scope & unique features;
Understand the objective realities of Ethiopian Society as a Sociological entity and its
subsystems and placements vis-à-vis the global Social system;
Understand the various Sociological theoretical and analytical tools used in explaining the
Ethiopian Society;
Evaluate t h e existing geo-historic, ethnographic and philosophical literature on Ethiopian
Society using Sociological perspectives;
Distinguish Sociology of Ethiopia from ethnography, history, economics, philosophy and
geography that deal with Ethiopia as its unit of analysis; and
Apply the utilities and analytical powers of Sociology of Ethiopia.
Course Delivery and Evaluation: Lecture; series of written & reading assignments; term papers;
critical review and evaluation of Social science literature on Ethiopia, Educational Field trip etc.
Course Contents:
Chapter One:
1.1. Theoretical and methodological contexts of area and nation studies in Sociology,
1.2. The nature of Ethiopian Sociology,
1.3. The need for Sociology of Ethiopia, its subject matter and scope,
1.4. Comparison of Sociology of Ethiopia to Sociology of Africa, Europe, 3rd World).
Chapter Two: Approaches to the study of Ethiopian society
Chapter Three: Relationship between Sociology of Ethiopia and Ethnography,
3.1. History Geography, Economy, Philosophy of Ethiopia;
3 . 1 . 1 . S rvey of Sociological writing and studies of Ethiopian Society;
3.2. Sociological approaches to the studies of Ethiopian Society (Ethiopian Society, Sociological
explanations of images of Ethiopia to the outside world);
3.3. Selected topics on Sociology of Ethiopia include Social structure, Social stratification and
Social mobility in Socialization practices,
3.3.1. Identity, ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, national unity, regional differences.
Chapter Four: Foreign control and international relations,
4.1. Identity dynamics, famines, underdevelopment, health care, education, economy and work,
Social inequalities, government, etc.
Chapter Five: Social Institutions in Ethiopia:
1.1. Family, Marriage, Religion, Education, Economy, Polity, Media, Health, etc.
Mode of Assessment
A combination of exams and term paper work will be used in assessing students’ performance
and achievement. Tests will be given to students that accounts for 15 %. Quiz will account 5%
Students will also be oriented to select a topic relating to the context of the sociology of Ethiopian
societies and produces a term paper that will be rated out of 10% and presentation of the paper
will account 10%. Individual assignment will account 10% of the total mark. The final exam will
be out of 50%.
References
Mennasemay, Maimire 2005 .“Ethiopian Political Theory, Democracy and Surplus History.”In.
International Journal of Ethiopian Studies Vol 2, Nos. 1 and 2. Hollywood: Tsehay Publishers
Levin, Donald. 1974. Greater Ethiopia, Evolution of a Multiethnic Society. Chicago: Chicago uni.
1972.Wax and Gold. Tradition and Innovation in Ethiopia Culture. Chikago Univ.
James, Wendy, et al, Eds. 2000.Remapping Ethiopia. Eastern African Studies Series.Oxford:
Richard Pankhurst, 1990. “Some Notes in foreign Historiography on Ethiopia.`` in Proceedings of
the Symposium of Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the lES. Addis Ababa AAU.
Bahru Zewdie 2002 A History of Modern Ethiopia 1855-1991 2nd edi. AAU Press
Merera Gudinna, 2006. “Contradictory Interpreting of Ethiopian History. The Need for a New
consensus`` in Turton,
Donald Levine (1976) Greater Ethiopia: The Evolution of a Multiethnic Society, Chicago:
Chicago University Press
David, Ed. 2006.Ethnic Federalism. The Ethiopian Experience in Comparative Perspective. James
Currey: Oxford
Peter Woodward and David Killinsgary Eds, 1991.African Affairs, the Journal of the Royal African
Society. Vol 90 No. 361.
Solomon Tilahun 2002. Biodiversity and the Human Responsibility (A Christian Perspective
Focusing on Ethiopia) Amharic. Addis Ababa: Birana Printing Press
Awoke Amzaye 2007.Mosaic Cultures and Peoples of eh SNNPRS Awassa: Bureau of Culture
and Information
Seyoum G/Sellasie and Al-watting Kamer 1989.Teaching and Research in Anthropology and
Sociology in Eastern African Universities. New Delhi: OSSREA
