Understanding the Factors Associated with Engaged Scholarship: A Case Study of Sociologists in the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Author

Rebecca Maame Ahima Tachie, South Dakota State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2016

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Sociology and Rural Studies

First Advisor

Meredith Redlin

Keywords

community/public engagement, Engaged scholarship, epistemology, public sociology, University-community partnerships, University of Cape Coast

Abstract

Although initially established for the purpose of training teachers and management staff for the formal education sector, one of the major objectives of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) is to establish partnerships with both local and international communities and organizations in ways that simultaneously enhance academic scholarship and socioeconomic development. For this reason, this study examined the significance of university policies on community engagement and the practice of public sociology. Specifically, the influence of epistemological dispositions and perceptions concerning disciplinary, institutional and social demands on engaged scholarship are addressed. The challenges associated with the practice of engaged scholarship and “public sociology” are discussed by identifying the ironies presented by the laws and decrees of UCC and two other national policies for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). Data was also collected from fifteen (n=15) academic faculty (sociologists) from DSA and the CEGRAD using a questionnaire with mostly open-ended questions. The responses of participants of this research elucidated some of the major factors associated with the feasibility of the practice of public sociology. Also outlined are some of the community engagement practices pursued in the midst of all the challenges presented in the UCC and Ghanaian context.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

University of Cape Coast.
Universities and colleges -- Ghana -- Cape Coast -- Public services.
Community and college.
Service learning.
Sociology -- Methodology.
Sociology -- Research.
Learning and scholarship.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 228-234)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

276

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Recommended Citation

Tachie, Rebecca Maame Ahima, "Understanding the Factors Associated with Engaged Scholarship: A Case Study of Sociologists in the University of Cape Coast, Ghana" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1091.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1091