This paper presents the results of a critical ethnography of literacy practices experienced by a group of university students, who perceived them as promoting social exclusion in the Colombian educational system. It also gives an account of their views about how this educational system could be more inclusive and contribute to peacebuilding in the…

This paper examines the sociolinguistic configuration of the Nigerian Army as indexed in the workout songs they used during jogging exercises in Calabar, South-eastern Nigeria. Data for the study were generated by means of participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The findings, drawing insights from Discourse community theory and…

Social cohesion in schools refers to positive interpersonal relations between students, a sense of belonging of all students and group solidarity. Social cohesion is a multidimensional construct, and educators policymakers and researchers may focus on specific domains within this concept, guided by their personal conception of social cohesion.…

Background: Modern Western societies are comprised of social and cultural diversity. As such, it is important that young people develop an awareness and appreciation of different cultures. Physical education (PE) and sport are often considered spaces where intercultural competence and social cohesion can be addressed through motor, social,…

Through qualitative research, which involved qualitative interviews and focus group meetings with members of four student teams, we identified a number of barriers to the development of cohesiveness in teams of local and international exchange (IE) students, who were undertaking service-learning (SL) together. Lack of cohesiveness in such teams…

The authors use data from the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey to examine the association between incarceration and living arrangements, net of a range of sociodemographic and early life characteristics. Relative to living with a spouse and child(ren), there is evidence that a history of incarceration is strongly associated with…

The ideal of creating a non-racial and equitable school environment is embedded in the South African Constitution. This ideal is informed by a desire to overcome the divisions of the apartheid past by pursuing policies and strategies that will promote the achievement of social cohesion, without denying space for various identities. Schools are…

This study explores the role of public Islamic higher education in promoting better relations between various religious communities in post-authoritarian Indonesia. Based on field research conducted between December 2005 and March 2006, it documents how progressive Islamic education leaders have advanced a tradition of critical intellectualism in…

In the context of ongoing social divisions, lack of coherent leadership by government, and even divisiveness over medical advances and public health mandates, how might universities respond? What university actions can support "social cohesion" in a society splintered by class, race, gender, colonial legacies, the history of apartheid,…

Presents findings of a study that examined whether West Germany's Greek, Italian, and Turkish ethnic organizations hinder the assimilation of immigrants. Reports that social integration is affected by the distinctive characteristics of each organization and its participants, but their existence, in itself, is not simply an indicator of segregation…

Residents of community settings show more positive social integration, distinctive patterns of preference for interaction with and perceptions of the elderly, and an enhanced positive self-conception. The aged subculture in retirement communities tends to be retreatist in content rather than activist. (Author)

"Adhesive adaptation" occurs when aspects of a new culture and social relations with members of the host society are added on to immigrants' traditional culture and social networks, without replacing or modifying any significant part of the old. Interviews with 615 Korean immigrants empirically confirmed this adaptation model. (Author/KH)

The acculturation of two ethnic groups in Oklahoma was compared. Hispanics seemed to be more assimilated than Southeast Asians. Both groups were more assimilated in their work places and residences than in friendships. Ethnic networking reduced assimilation. Biculturalism was the most satisfactory form of acculturation, followed by assimilation,…

Analyzes data from a case study of Haitian immigrants in a small midwestern city. Discusses the Haitian's motivations for immigration; the role of Whites as immigration sponsors, employers, language models, and cultural mediators; the Haitians' attempts to minimize the effects of racial ascription; group unity and identity maintenance; and…

A random sample (N=197) of two social service agencies completed a questionnaire to assess family cohesion and adaptability, acculturation, acculturative stress, and coping-resources effectiveness among Latino adults. The results suggest that acculturative stress experienced by Latinos relates to the efficacy of stress-coping resources, degree of…