of Modern Ghana Session 1 The Concept of Social Change Lecturers: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SOCI 224: Social Structure of Modern Ghana Session 1 – The Concept of Social Change Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Mark K. M. Obeng, University of Ghana Contact Information: fohemeng@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017

Session Overview Societies are not static, but dynamic. Some changes are gradual, while others are swift. This session introduces the concepts of social structure and social change to students. We will start by explaining the concept of social change, the causes of social change globally, and the sources of change in Ghana. Slide 2

Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: • What is social change? • The factors of social change • Social change in Ghana-the impact of colonialism • From traditionality to modernism Topic One Slide 3

Reading List • Assimeng, M. (1999). Social Structure of Ghana: A Study in Persistence and Change . Accra: Ghana Publishing Corporation. Pages 236-240. • Abotchie, C. (2016) Social Change in Ghana . Accra: Hans Publications. Pages 4-11. • Nukunya, G.K. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: An Introduction to Sociology . Pages 128-136. Slide 4

Topic One WHAT IS SOCIAL CHANGE? Slide 5

What is social change? • According to Robert Moore (1967) “any significant alteration in the social structure, which may originate endogenously or exogenously in any institutional area, bringing about changes in other institutional areas, which in turn make for further adaptations in the initial sphere of change”.

Sample Question • Use the smart phone as a source of change to illustrate the concept of Social Change as given by Moore (1968). Slide 7

Topic Two SOURCES OF SOCIAL CHANGE Slide 8

Sources of Social Change • Industrialization • Innovation/technology • Education • Social movements (such as the civil rights movements in the USA) • Wars/civil wars/political instability • Colonialism • Urbanisation/modernisation

Topic Three SOCIAL CHANGE IN GHANA: THE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM Slide 10

Social Change in Ghana: the Impact of Colonialism • Colonialism is the major source of change in the Ghanaian society. It was introduced from outside the Ghanaian society. • The change which started in the political institution brought gradual changes into the other institutions till all the other institutions were affected. • Apart from colonialism, other sources of change in the Ghanaian society are the attainment of independence on March 6, 1957 and the Military Coup d’tat led by the PNDC in December 31, 1981. Slide 11

Topic Four FROM TRADITIONALITY TO MODERNISM Slide 12

Features of traditional society • Nukunya (2014) uses 1900 – Those exercising power do so by virtue of their as the base year to inherited status. determine the transition – Traditional societies are non- from traditionality to literate ones. modernity. – History based on oral • The features of a traditional traditions. society are: – Economy is mainly agricultural – Traditional societies are – Traditional characterised by a belief in societies are the legitimacy of authority characterised by hereditary that has always existed. succession, age as basis for status and roles and rigid – People obey their commands adherence to customs. because it is always in accordance with custom.