Leaving area studies behind: the challenge of diasporic connections in the field of African studies

Abstract

In recent years, diaspora has become one of the key terms of social analysis in various fields. Emphasizing the multiple trajectories out of which present identities – inasmuch as political or economic realities – are forged, the concept forces us to reconsider the scope of classical area studies (and associated disciplinary boundaries) in radical terms. The article looks at the colonial foundations of African Studies as area studies and examines some ways by which to overcome enduring colonial epistemologies. The author suggests a theoretical framework in which Africa herself is considered as diasporic. Moreover, she calls for a critical perspective that will facilitate the comparative analysis of different diasporic discourses and practices.     

Social networks and the study of relations: networks as method,metaphor and form

Abstract

Networks have recently become fashionable in social analysis but most of the new network approaches have paid scant attention to the long history of reflections upon the potential of networks as an analytical device in the social sciences. In this paper we chart the developments in networking thinking in two disciplinary areas – social network analysis and social anthropology – in order to highlight the enduring difficulties and problems with network thinking as well as its potential. The first half of the paper explores the uses of network approaches over the past fifty years, situating theoretical and methodological questions in their broader disciplinary contexts. The authors then show how emerging issues from both bodies of work offer the promise of new kinds of networking thinking.     

The Pragmatic Research Approach： A Framework for Sustainable Management of Public Housing Estates in Nigeria

The paper is based on a research which tries to explore, explain and develop a framework that would be used in the sustainable post-construction management of public housing estates. Literature review provides evidence of the extent of unoccupied, unfinished, vandalized, and abandoned social housing estates in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, signifying that the availability and management of decent public housing estates in the Niger Delta of Nigeria are lacking because the post-construction management practice is not as good as it should be. The aim of this paper is to assess and set out the methodology and rationale for adopting a strategy to the research. It further, thus, examines case study design strategy that follows exploratory and explanatory methods and other research worldviews as alternatives in philosophy, approach and in research methodology. In addition, the paper draws out the significance of pragmatism as current practical world thinking that is a better answer to a research study aim, objectives and questions which focus on real-life situations. It argues that the development of a framework for use in the post-construction management of social （public） housing estates in a sustainable manner is needed; and that, using a pragmatic philosophical perspective and approach of worldview through a mixed method （qualitative and quantitative） in a case study design line of inquiry in the research methodology would be a better proposition to adopt in the study. The paper recommends that the issues of sampling, validity, reliability, the relationship between the researcher and the subject and other research quandaries are vital when deciding on an appropriate method.     

Applying the Environment Shaping Methodology: Conceptual and Practical Challenges

Abstract

Repatriation has long been the international community's preferred solution to refugee crises. This article argues that repatriation must be understood not in terms of physical return but as a process of political rapprochement between citizen, community and state. In particular, this work takes account of the need to accommodate community-based political identities. Repatriation should be conceived of as the deliberate remaking of a social compact between not only refugee-citizen and state but also refugee-nation and state. This offers a means for resolving the inherent contradiction between the notion of universal human rights and contemporary political organization which determines meaningful access to these rights on the basis of group or national identities. This is particularly important given the role of group-based conflict in causing mass refugee flight.     

法官职业化的反思与重构

我国法官职业化建设存在着三个缺失:精英理念的缺失、制度性独立的缺失和法律方法论的缺失.法官职业化建设只能依照精英化的策略来完成,制度性独立是实施法官职业精英化策略的基本条件,法律方法论是法官职业精英化的重要内涵.     

法治思维引导下的法律方法论研究——2013年中国法律方法论研究报告

2013年度,国内法律方法论的研究呈现出与司法实践更加紧密联系的态势,强调以法治思维作为引领法律方法论的指导思想。这一特点使得法律方法论研究同时也具有更加宏观的重要意义。个案研究也成为本年度中法律方法论学者更加关注的领域,无论是法律方法论的基础理论还是部门法方法论,都是如此。这说明国内法律方法论的研究走向更加深入和细致,对指导性案例的分析就是其中的典型。部门法方法论研究对教义学属性的强调成为比较突出的特点,这为部门法方法论的深入研究奠定了重要基础。     

论弗里德曼法律文化概念的方法论困境

弗里德曼＂法律文化＂概念的提出为研究法律文化的学者打开了一个视域上的新窗口,但此概念也招致了不同层面上的质疑与批判。而这些质疑与批判从根本上看是对弗里德曼＂法律文化＂这一概念所面临的方法论困境的呈现。一方面,旨在考察诸如观念、态度、价值模式等因素在形塑法律制度上的功用时,作为对象化的＂法律文化＂概念只是一种＂理想类型＂,其在科学性与可操作性上不尽使人满意;另一方面,作为实证化研究方法的＂法律文化＂概念又面临价值性功用上的危机,其在满足法社会科学＂用法律改良社会＂的理想方面以及解释多元性法律文化方面显得不尽如人意。     

二战后德国法律方法论发展综论

二战以来,德国法理学界对法律方法论的研究取得了令人瞩目的成就。在对法律方法律的研究过程中,德国法理学界经由诸多法学家的努力,不断在"法认识论"方面提出新的见解;对法律方法论的性质与功能重新进行解释,期望把法的稳定性和法的灵活性相结合,使法的形式和法的内容显示出不可缺少的沟通,以此提高法规范的可接受性。     

治安学学科体系构建的必要性与方法论基础

我国治安学学科研究与建设经过改革开放20多年的艰苦探索,虽然取得了一定成果,但仍处于初级阶段。理论上的不成熟和学科构成的不规范,严重影响了对警察教育的推动和对警察实践指导作用的发挥。究其根源:一是对治安学学科体系构建的必要性认识不足;二是对治安学学科体系构建的方法论基础研究不够。     

This Word is (Not?) Very Exciting: Considering Intersectionality in Indigenous Studies

Gender and intersectional approaches can provide important insights and reflections for indigenous studies. Issues related to indigenous people and communities are broad and complex. Doing research within indigenous studies has to consist of more than simply discussing indigenous identity. I argue that intersectional approaches of varying kinds provide an opportunity to understand several aspects of identity and a diverse set of issues relevant to indigenous communities. Using intersectional approaches enables one to maintain a critical focus on power. In this article, I describe indigenous studies and intersectionality separately, then move on to a discussion of how intersectionality and gender perspectives can be used within indigenous studies. The starting point for intersectional approaches as well as for indigenous studies is the margins rather than the centre. The focus of the article is on methodology, which is based on the reading of literature from indigenous methodologies, gender studies, and intersectionality. A key concept is the cultural interface, which points towards the existence of plural subject positions both for individuals and within a community.