Introduction to Studying Society

Introduction to Studying Society

• This presentation contains the slides for a midterm exam, relating to GEST 100 course materials
• The instructor for the course is Mr. Jehad Mousa, with email [email protected]
• The discussion primarily focuses on the reasons for studying society

Key Questions About Society

• What is the definition of a society?
• Social structure consist of various components; what are they?
• What is the most basic form of social structure?
• Aside from the basic form, what other types of organizations exist?
• Why is there a need for human beings to form social groups?
• What characterizes a coherent social group or society?
• What are the factors that promote the development of a cohesive human society?
• Why is studying a society important?

Definition of Society

• A society represents shared values, traditions, and customs among a group within a specific region, distinguishing them from other groups

Elements of Social Structure

• Culture encompasses shared values, beliefs, and practices that define a group's identity
• Social class involves the stratification of society based on economic and social status
• Social status reflects positions & ranking in society
• Roles consist of expected behaviors and responsibilities in social interactions
• Groups are collections of individuals that share characteristics or goals
• Social institutions comprise established structures that shape community organization and its rules

Oldest Forms of Social Organization

• Family is the earliest form of social organization
• Kinship are groupings derived from blood relations
• Voluntary Associations are organizations formed by free will and common interest

Other Forms of Human Gathering

• Extended family extends beyond the nuclear family
• Friendship involves social connections based on shared affection and interests
• Study and work groups focus on academic and professional collaboration
• Sports teams unite due to common athletic pursuits

The Need for Social Groups

• Modern humans are participants in multiple communities that promote resource sharing and support, even among unfamiliar individuals.
• These cooperative networks improve survival prospects; however, community differences can also lead to conflict

What is a Coherent Group/Society?

• Social cohesion binds a group together, which citizens, policymakers, and social scientists frequently call "glue"
• Recognized importance by ordinary citizens, policymakers, and social scientists
• Integration helps keep societies working as a united whole

Main Features of a Human Society

• Equal participation in civil and political life.
• Equal or fair economic and social conditions and opportunities.
• Access to high quality education and increased knowledge of the state language.
• Preservation of ethnic minorities' culture.
• Promoting a tolerant environment

Importance of Studying Society

• Understanding Social Systems. Sociology helps individuals understand human society and social systems function.
• Cultural Diversity reveals the various ways different societies solve universal human problems.
• Problem-Solving provides insights into addressing challenges in making a living across cultures.

Importance of Community

• Shaping young minds by impacting values, beliefs and morals
• Emotional impact of the community impacts people living within it.
• Need fulfillment is attained by understanding how to satisfy the groups needs
• Driving excellence is achieved by supporting the members goals for innovation and creativity

The Foundations of UAE Success

• The UAE was established in 1971
• Over the years the UAE has reached exceptional levels of success at local, regional, and international levels because of its strong federal structure
• The Emirati national identity is seen as a deep emotional and value-based connection to its nation, through similar consciousness.
• Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan created the intellectual foundations of the UAE

Establishment Requirements for a National State

• Territory is needed, defined by geographical space, with clear borders
• Population helps shape human culture, exercising common national values
• Government, that has authority to create structured governance, and enforce regulated policies
• States must be independent, exercising authority within their territories

State Requirements

• State authority recognizes that legitimized forces are to maintain social order and pursue collective interests
• Social contract in which the government works with the people to protect rights for pursuing public good
• Essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure that provide humans with access to growth physically, mentally and emotionally
• Sovereign protection for effective governance and maintained order to ensure continuity of society
• The initial vision in 1968 of the UAE was started by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum who started it at Al Sameeh village
• The UAE formed in 1971 through combining Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah
• Ras Al Khaimah, joined later in 1972
• The UAE constitution is the foundational document of rights for the UAE and the framework for its laws.

Key Features of the UAE Consitution

• The UAE Constitution, with 152 Articles across 10 Chapters outlines the foundational principles, state structure, and governmental institutions of the UAE as a federal nation-state

Federal Structure

• Federalizm divided the governance in local and federal levels
• Legislative and executive powers are shared between the 7 emirates

Federal Authorities

• Federal Supreme Council
• The president and his deputies
• Cabinet
• Federal National Council
• Federal Judiciary

Requirements for Creating Federal Decrees

• Federal decrees and laws are regulated to ensure the proper function of them being introduced
• A council of local government leaders are put in place

Governance in Emirates

• Local governments have the right to put in place powers that arent assigned by the federation
• The seven emirates must offer protections and services as federation members.
• The power is balanced to ensure smooth operation to help the framework develop and thrive

The National State of UAE

• Shifts membership based on acquisition from an individual will toward a general will for collective benefit
• Prioritizes benefit based on cooperation with others to help aid in the betterment of the nation

Rationality in United Arab Emirates

• By identifying that UAE will observe, analyze, and respond to challenges and opportunities to strategize effective means in it's national benefit
• 1971 Founding fathers prioritized the creation of a nation-state and address regional and international security concerns
• Rational integration has successfully helped bring the 7 emirates together

Interdependence in the United Arab Emirates

• Interdependence was key to establishing UAE
• The union created bettering bonds and enabling better relationships between citizens
• Increased interdependence is a theoretical foundation that helps improve life conditions for citizens

Certainty (Confidence)

• Certainty is a critical part in the UAE's federal state and helps with rational integration
• UAE federations strengthens national capabilities by uniting through resources to reduces ambiguity.

Seven Components of National Identity

• Geography
• History
• Language
• Religion
• Culture
• Destiny
• Values

The Emirati Personality

• Sheikh Zayed made big efforts to establish a personality that is based around political life, morals, and ethics
• Zayed laid the intellectual groundwork for the successful establishment and sustainability of the United Arab Emirates as a unified and thriving nation-state.
• Tradition and Conservatism by upholding authentic heritage while engaging in modern practices
• Realize a virtue in living as it can help better achieve developmental goals
• Have wisdom and prudence supported by insights of facts to make wise choices

Components of Emirati Personality

• Determination and Collaboration comes from understanding realities
• Ambition and perseverance, showing interest of future obstacles that can be overcomed to better provide for the success of the nation.
• Compassion and tolerance with acts of kindness to value each other's rights
• Poise and moderation endured from past experiences while living in the present
• Showing appreciation for other's emotions by trying to assist those in need
• Acting respectful by understanding the culture, obligations and following ethical values

More Aspects of Personality

• Emirati's value peace while trying to avoid conflict
• Focus on perfection over laziness

Foreign Policy of the United Arab Emirates

• The UAE's foreign policy is made up of factors that involve decision making
• UAE makes effort to building on strength and building an effective federal state
• Aims to boost economic development and international safety as well as global peace

Key Aspects to Foreign Policy

Strategic vision, guiding goals Commitment to achieving strategic goals

Aspects of the United Emirates Military Level

• The UAE ranks highly overall for military strength among other Gulf countries: 51st globally out of 145 countries and 4th among Gulf states.
• The UAE prioritizes peaceful solutions to global conflicts, rejects violence, and actively supports communities though international initiatives
• Scientific contribution by innovating new technology and peaceful resolutions in global leadership

UAE Foreign Policy: Constitutional Principles

• Supports Arab and Islamic nations
• Building up relationships globally
• Following the United Nations in global commitment to human rights

Diplomacy

• Promoting representation and negotiation that help manage relations effectively
• Helping shape its external relations

Tolerance Factors

• Helping support exchange values
• Focusing of social formation
• Recognizing the Arabic dialect as a unique source
• The ability to co-operate with others when necessary

Factors on Social formation:

• Social justice to help emphasize equality for human rights
• Equality as a form to eliminate discrimination
• Creating balance for international and local values

Emirati Diplomacy

• UAE leverages Economic and Military Strength- ensure role to be a global and stabilized power.
• Promoting peace and security while blending the global strategy through diplomatic values
• Emirati diplomacy, a tool to shape external relations by implementing foreign policy

Factors on Social Formation

• Social justice is fairness for people's rights
• Solidarity is a value between citizens to promote peace
• Creating formal and informal understandings

What UAE is involved in:

• Acknowledging global organizations
• Building partnerships for solutions
• International cooperation to limit global conflict

International Organizations

• Expo Dubai showcased international events to promote a strategic vision that enhanced partnerships
• Addressing sustainability to help support climate solutions through global funds
• Launching projects and initiatives
• Renewable energy, transitioning to clean energy by the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

Focus on People

• As "Zayed's sons," reflecting moral principles and values
• Emiratis drive technological advancements while helping cultural and cognitive legacies.
• Building excellence within management of global events.
• Providing aid and support to any country without discrimination
• Creating a coexistence model from heritage
• Resolve to overcome challenges

UAE Approach to the World:

• Establishing ministry with global concerns
• Developing a systematic model with new value systems
• Supporting the world and creating value wherever possible
• Year of Tolerate in 2019 for global leadership

Key Aims in Leadership

• Global Position to consolidate peace
• Policy innovation to promote high moral fiber
• Deepening values by promoting tolerance
• High moral values to guide the world
• Spreading high level initiatives and media support

Understanding Core Values

• Important factors to note consist of understanding their purpose in today's age
• Following Moral Guidance, the standards by which people are influenced

Emirati Society Values

• Diverse values for many cultures in modern society
• Preserving tradition to continue to establish a base line of the origins with the government Communication ethics to ensure progressiveness when importing values
• To have absorption that benefits everyone

Religious Stability

• Consists of following a true islamic faith, to maintain unity and stability within
• Morality and normative behaviour
• Morals derived and inherited arab customs

Inherited Generational Attributes

• Emiritis passed down core attributes among many generations
• Preserving, creating, and inheriting values
• Social adaptably, providing support for challenges in an ever-changing world

Traditions

• Establishing a frame work, through the tribe system
• Social change during a period of time
• Promoting a sense of law

Understanding Geneaology

• Geneaology emphasizes a need to preserve lineage
• Is used as means to connect clans and increase relationships

Key Factors To Support Value

• Providing tolerance and exchange to help support a societal cohesion
• Acknowledging acceptance of those in the UAE nation, creating positive environments

Social Justice

• Principles by which create emphasis
• Promoting all individuals without discrimination
• Equality in any circumstance

Social Solidarity in UAE

• Solidarity creates a united front
• Creating connections between groups and establishing a strong tribe

Fixed and Changing Social Standards

• Creating the best environment by building upon what can be created and what can
• Supporting what can be accomplished without making others feel less
• Understanding new beliefs with a diverse amount of backgrounds with respect

Challenges with National Values

• Globalization, that is bringing to light various challenges to overcome
• Arab Culture, its values, and the ability to preserve the value in globalized world
• The influence of social media on cultural value and traditions

Globalization in The United Arab Emirates

• Building economic relationships
• Establishing new culture while trading
• Preserving the values from different corners of the world

Arabic Ethical Value

• Establishing cultural values and promoting a long history of diversity
• Helping convey meaning through understanding, society norms and language
• A component known for providing historical intellectual through discourse

Cultural Resilience

• Embracing innovative change while creating global communication
• Integrating a better understanding of value in digital change
• Maintaining that integrity is of utmost importance

Human Development

• Encompasses aspects like, physical and spiritual and is a continuous process from childhood
• Strengthening ties to the country

Priorities for human Development

• It's a persons connection to their country which helps build a stronger more united society
• Supports sustainable development and continues progression of civilization
• When societies improve their people, the people can grow and develop

The Importance of Islamic Religion

• Based on providing authentic values
• Beliefs and goals that help shape individuals to be great
• The more people improve, the more they can help society and their community

UAE Leadership

• Prioritizes growth over production
• Sees human development as a top priority
• Government leadership programs have been put in place to help develop talent while establishing the vision for the future

Vision of The Past

• Promote peace and tolerance to those abroad
• Embody moral values like kindness
• Having good integrity to continue building a prosperous nation
• To be inclusive in your work ethic and continue growing each day

The Qualities of a good human who promotes global peace and has integrity as it pertains to the UAE leadership

• Showing foresight or thinking well ahead
• Having a motivation that is consistent and helps with innovation
• Always wanting to learn, regardless of the times

How the World Benefits

• Being quick and adaptable when the opportunity presents itself
• The ability to make a smart and quick decision when necessary
• Staying focused on the objectives at hand, regarding National Goals to make sure that you are supporting the leaders around you

Year of Zayed 2018 Goals Summary:

• Honor Sheikhs Contribution to society
• His Influence globally
• Understanding the past while contributing efforts to inspire generations Promote and strengthening his ethics
• Showing patriotism and love for those around you

Key Points During the Year of 2018

• Supporting Women Empowerment
• Supporting Seniors and Families
• Global acknowledgement

Giving and kindness

• Leading others with kindness, generosity that is sustainable throughout the UAE for it's citizens
• Showing what people did right, as they take great pride in Zayed ethics
• Following charitable organizations and spreading new projects to those in need

2017 A Year of Giving

• Promoting services and volunteer work to those in need
• The initiative targets those with more resources to help those without
• Being there to help create a national culture where people assist others

Cultural Goals

• Promoting work that benefits people that reflects ethics of kindness
• Linking to help and promote assistance
• Provide help for basic needs based on the history of the UAE

Core Values

• Building an ethical society to support all the necessary standards
• Having tolerance with local and global positions
• Having a high moral compass
• A high ethical code known throughout the world

Promoting an Inclusive World

• Ensuring stability and establishing the basic human need for survival through equality
• Creating new projects for social opportunity
• Promoting safety through means of armed military strength

Key Aspects for Promoting Society

• To mobilize the best people for a successful outcome
• To promote those from the inside and the outside, who offer value to the global perspective

Challenges with National Values

• Globalization impacts all
• Arabic Dialect/Language
• Innovation by introducing a new product to help society better

To support with an open mind, you must:

• Understand economics, social impact, behavioral habits, and other cultural issues
• Mitigate the negative attributes while embracing the new

You must also promote:

• Promoting new ideas that help come to new problems
• Supporting innovation
• Helping make public information that helps make better choices